Measurement and Modeling of Soil CO2 Production and Flux in Rangeland.

Soil CO2 production and flux play an important role in the global carbon cycle. The production and flux are influenced by soil temperature and soil water content. Depth-wise soil water content, temperature, and CO2 concentration were measured using automated sensors in a rangeland in southeastern Wyoming. Soil CO2 efflux was measured using a flux chamber. The data were used to calibrate a detailed numerical water flow, heat transport, and CO2 transport model. Special attention was given to the description of winter time conditions (snow accumulation and soil freeze/thaw) in the model.