Wetland ecosystems respiration

Drake B. G., Muche M. S., Peresta G., Gonzalez-Meier M. A., and Matamala R. (1996) Acclimation of photosynthesis, respiration and ecosystem carbon flux of a wetland on Chesapeake Bay, Maryland to elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration. Plant Soil 187, 111-118. 

The substrate-indnced respiration (SIR) method was developed as a rapid means of estimating microbial activities in soils (Beare et al., 1990 Neely et al., 1991). The use of selective inhibitors such as streptomycin for bacteria and cycloheximide for fungi, in conjunction with substrate additions, has been used to quantify bacterial and fungal contributions to the total metabolism of microbial decomposers. The SIR procedure involves addition of a labile carbon source (e.g., glucose or acetate) to provide a carbon nonlimiting condition. The short-term increase in carbon dioxide production is proportional to the active microbial biomass and activity. The concept of addition of labile carbon to determine the kinetics of substrate utilization by microorganisms has been extensively studied in various ecosystems including wetlands and aquatic systems. 

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