A chamber system with automatic opening and closing for continuously measuring soil respiration based on an open‐flow dynamic method

Abstract

Abstract We developed an automatic opening and closing chamber system (AOCC) based on an open‐flow dynamic method (open‐flow AOCC). The AOCC can be used during all four seasons, even at the surface of relatively deep snow. We compared the open‐flow AOCC with two closed dynamic methods [the AOCC configured as a closed dynamic system (closed dynamic AOCC) and the LI‐6400 system] under field conditions. The closed dynamic‐AOCC and LI‐6400 measurements were about 15.4% and 5.2% lower, respectively, than the values obtained with the open‐flow AOCC. There was a significant difference in soil respiration rate between the open‐flow AOCC and the closed dynamic AOCC system. In contrast, no significant difference in soil respiration rate was detected between the open‐flow AOCC and the LI‐6400 system. In the field, the open‐flow AOCC permitted continuous long‐term measurements under a range of temperature conditions and did a good job of reflecting the marked daily and seasonal variations in soil respiration as a function of soil temperature.