Evaluating the Role of Subcanopy Cover in the Net Ecosystem CO2 Exchange
in an Olive Orchard of SE Spain
Abstract
In the last decades, the Eddy Covariance (EC) technique has become a
standard method to measure net ecosystem CO2 exchange (NEE), but it
doesn’t let to distinguish between Gross Primary Production (GPP) and
Ecosystem Respiration (Reco). Olive (Olea europea L.) is one of the most
important agrosystems on the Mediterranean basin, covering 9.5Mha and
accounting for 98% of olive groves global surface. In this study we
analyze the EC fluxes from an olive orchard of SE Spain with two soil
treatments: 1) leaving spontaneous weed cover (WC) growing on the soil,
and 2) inhibiting this growth with a glyphosate-based herbicide (WF).
These two different treatments provide high differences in NEE, but the
contribution of each component (trees, weed and soil) in the NEE require
a better understanding. In this study, we analyze Eddy Covariance fluxes
from an olive orchard in SE Spain at different altitudes (above and
below the olive trees). To study carbon fluxes contribution of weed in
the olive orchard 4 EC towers were installed, placing them on two
different areas: one area in WC treatment and the other in WF treatment.
On each area, a canopy tower and a subcanopy tower were installed. After
a data-filtering during the growth season in which only wind directions
coming from olive orchard alleys were accepted, preliminary results from
the subcanopy towers show that there are prevailing CO2 emission values
from the soil in the WF area and CO2 fixation from the weed in the WC
area. On the other hand, during senescence period, CO2 emission fluxes
were obtained from both subcanopy towers. These results layout the
relevant place of subcanopy towers to understand the role in carbon
cycle of the different components in an ecosystem.