Root respiration unaffected by rising temperatures, impacting soil CO2 efflux.
Root respiration in sugar maple and red pine trees was studied in Michigan to see if it changes with seasonal temperature variations. The researchers found that root respiration rates increased with soil temperature, but did not acclimate to seasonal changes. Soil temperature and water availability were key factors affecting root respiration, with nitrogen additions having no impact. The study showed that root respiration in these tree species does not adjust to changing temperatures throughout the year.