Unexpected results of a pilot throughfall exclusion experiment on soil emissions of CO2, CH4, N2O and NO

in eastern Amazonia

Copyright Springer-Verlag 2002

Jose H. Cattanio, Eric A. Davidson, Daniel C. Nepstad, Louis V. Verchot and, Ilse L. Ackerman

Summary of points

· The eastern Amazon Basin may be becoming drier as a result of less regional recirculation of water because of deforested landscape and because of increased frequency and intensity of El Nino events induced by global warming

· Drier conditions affect plant and soil microbial processes, including emissions of CO2, CH4, NO and N2O

· CO2 emission were lower and drier regions

· CH4, NO and N2O emissions were higher in drier regions, surprisingly – this phenomena is yet to be confirmed and explained in full