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www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net/6/6841/2006/
doi:10.5194/acpd-6-6841-2006
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Methane emission from tropical savanna Trachypogon sp. grasses
IVIC, Atmospheric Chemistry Laboratory, Caracas, Venezuela
Abstract. Methane flux measurements from the soil-grass system were made during the wet season in unperturbed plots and plots where standing dry and green Trachypogon sp. grasses were clipped to just above the soil surface. Results support the surprising discovery that vegetation emits methane. The dry/green mixture of grasses produce methane at a rate of ~10 ng m−2 s−1, which extrapolated to the global savanna would produce an annual emission of ~5 Tg, much lower than the production recently suggested in the literature. On the other hand, during the wet season savanna soil consume CH4 at a rate of ~4.7 ng m−2 s−1, producing a global sink of ~1.3 Tg yr−1. Therefore, the tropical savanna soil-grass system would make a modest contribution to the global budget of methane.
Discussion Paper (PDF, 253 KB) Interactive Discussion (Closed, 4 Comments) Final Revised Paper (ACP)
Notice on Discussion StatusCitation: Sanhueza, E. and Donoso, L.: Methane emission from tropical savanna Trachypogon sp. grasses, Atmos. Chem. Phys. Discuss., 6, 6841-6852, doi:10.5194/acpd-6-6841-2006, 2006. Bibtex EndNote Reference Manager XML
