Estimation of carbon flow in a Calluna heath system

In a Culluna heath, plots of 1 m2 were pulse labelled with 14CO2, and the radioactivity in vegetation above ground, roots, litter and soil organic matter followed for almost two years. In a separate experiment, radioactivity in above ground and root respiration and in soil microbial biomass was determined. A kinetic model for the carbon transfer reaction is presented, and shown to give a satisfactory agreement with the experimental data. The results demonstrate that a major part of the assimilated carbon passes through the roots and into the soil, where it is rapidly mineralized. (author)