Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)


Print Feedback Export to File
1556352 
Journal Article 
Inundation strongly stimulates nitrous oxide emissions from stems of the upland tree Fagus sylvatica and the riparian tree Alnus glutinosa 
Machacova, K; Papen, H; Kreuzwieser, J; Rennenberg, H 
2013 
1 
Plant and Soil
ISSN: 0032-079X
EISSN: 1573-5036 
364 
1-2 
287-301 
WOS:000314722800024 
Nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) can be emitted from
surfaces of riparian plants. Data on the emission of these greenhouse gases by upland trees are
scarce. We quantified CH4 and N2O emissions from stems of Fagus sylvatica, an upland tree, and
Alnus glutinosa, a riparian tree. The gas fluxes were investigated in mesocosms under non-flooded
control conditions and during a flooding period using static chamber systems and gas
chromatographic analyses. Despite differences in the presence of an aerenchyma system, both tree
species emitted N2O and CH4 from the stems. Flooding caused a dramatic transient increase of N2O
stem emissions by factors of 740 (A. glutinosa) and even 14,230 (F. sylvatica). Stem emissions of
CH4 were low and even deposition was determined (F. sylvatica controls). The results suggest that
CH4 was transported mainly through the aerenchyma, whereas N2O transport occurred in the xylem
sap. For the first time it has been demonstrated that upland trees such as F. sylvatica clearly
significantly emit N2O from their stems despite lacking an aerenchyma. If this result is
confirmed in adult trees, upland forests may constitute a new and significant source of
atmospheric N2O. 
Methane; Nitrous oxide; Soil and stem emission; Alnus glutinosa; Fagus sylvatica; Flooding