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Anna Ekberg. Photo.

Anna Ekberg

Administrative manager

Anna Ekberg. Photo.

Effects of intra-genotypic variation, variance with height and time of season on BVOC emissions

Author

  • Ylva Persson
  • Guy Schurgers
  • Anna Ekberg
  • Thomas Holst

Summary, in English

Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds (BVOCs) are trace gases other than CO2 and CH4 produced and emitted by the biosphere, where the amounts released depend on climatic factors such as temperature and solar irradiation. However, interpretation of leaf-level measurements is currently hampered by factors such as large within-genotypic variability, measurement height and time in the season. A campaign was performed between June and August in 2013 in Taastrup, Denmark to study these uncertainties. BVOC emissions were measured from leaves and needles at heights of 2 m, 5.5m and 12.5m in the canopy and for seven trees; four Norway spruces (Picea abies) of which two trees had a budburst approximately a week before the other two, two English oaks (Quercus robur) and one European beech (Fagus sylvatica). Differences in chemical composition and emission strength between June and August were observed between the different trees. English oak's main compound isoprene increased from 62-74%of the total emission in June to approximately 97% in August, which is linked to leaf development over the summer season. The total emission from all measured spruce trees decreased from July to August, but without a loss in the diversity of emitted compounds. The trees showed indications of drought stress as there was a period without precipitation lasting 21 days during the study. There were no differences in emission patterns within all of the measured Norway spruces. For measurement height, there was only a significant difference in emission pattern for European beech as the top of the canopy emitted 7-9 times more in relation to lower canopy levels. Our results suggest there was little within-genotype variability and the wide spacing between trees had an influence on the individual emission patterns. These results are important in order to understand the significance of within-genotypic variation, canopy height and seasonal development in relation to the emission patterns of the selected species. Furthermore, it will provide helpful insights for modelers who wish to improve their emission estimates.

Department/s

  • Dept of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science
  • Centre for Environmental and Climate Science (CEC)
  • BECC: Biodiversity and Ecosystem services in a Changing Climate

Publishing year

2016-09-06

Language

English

Pages

377-388

Publication/Series

Meteorologische Zeitschrift

Volume

25

Issue

4

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

E Schweizerbartsche Verlags

Topic

  • Natural Sciences

Status

Published

Project

  • Analysis of climate and seasonality impacts on species-specific BVOC emission capacities to improve a regional/global emission model

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1610-1227