Do texture and organic matter content affect C & N dynamics in soils exposed to dry/wet cycles?

Abstract

Previous studies have reported both enhanced and reduced C and N cycling when soils of different compositions are exposed to repeated wet/dry cycles. The factors that determine the different responses are poorly understood. The objectives of this study were to determine how soil texture and organic matter content affect short-term C and N dynamics and the production of CO₂ and N₂O over a series drying and rewetting cycles, and then to use CO₂ and N₂O produced at constant moisture contents to calculate production during dry/wet cycles and compare this to actual production.