Biological sources of soil CO2 under Larix sibirica and Pinus sylvestris

Mycorrhizal ingrowth collars were used to study the effect of tree species on the seasonal dynamics of carbon dioxide flux from three major sources of soil respiration: (1) plant roots, (2) mycorrhizal hyphae, and (3) microorganisms. Distinct seasonality in carbon transport to mycorrhizae was revealed, with its highest values being observed during the second half of the growing season. The annual amount of C transferred through mycorrhizae did not differ between the two tree species, and the contribution of mycorrhizae to soil surface CO2 emission was about 20%.