The researchers studied soil respiration in rubber plantation ecosystems to understand its components and seasonal changes. They found that soil respiration varied throughout the year, with the highest rates in August and the lowest in November or December. The main components of soil respiration were heterotrophic respiration, root respiration, litter layer respiration, and mineral soil respiration. The rate of soil respiration was strongly influenced by soil temperature but not by soil water content. As the rubber plantation aged, the amount of carbon emitted through soil respiration increased.