Effect of tree harvest, silvopastoral practices, and microclimate conditions on forest floor CO 2 efflux in a sessile oak ( Quercus petraea agg. [Matt.] Liebl.) forest

Key message Forest floor CO 2 efflux ( R f ; consisted of soil and potential vegetation) increased after forest harvest, but this response was changed by actual weather (especially drought and rains). Context Soil respiration is a large source of CO 2 released to the atmosphere and is sensitive to forest management practices and weather. Aims To determine effects of harvest, ancient practices and weather in a newly established coppice forest on R f . Methods R f , temperature, and moisture were measured during 1 year before and 2 years after harvest. Results Pasturing and raking had no effect on R f . It tended to increase during the first season after harvest. In the second year after harvest, differences in R f between control and harvested plots became much greater because of intensively developing herbaceous vegetation on harvested plots. No difference between the control and harvested plots was found during severely dry conditions. Following intensive rain pulses, R f was larger in the control than in the harvested plots. Conclusion Findings indicate that the R f response is not uniform in time and depends on microclimate, particularly on soil moisture. This may be crucial for estimation of the harvest impact on soil processes especially under changing climate.