The annual carbon dioxide (CO2) efflux from the forest
floor was also associated with the slope position and ranged from 1908 gCm2 year1 in plot L to
1199 gCm2 year1 in plot R. With ascending position from plot L to R, the contribution of autotrophic
respiration increased from 19.4 to 36.6% of total soil respiration, while that of the organic layer decreased
from 26.2 to 9.4%. Mineral soil contributed to 46.3 to 54.4% of the total soil respiration.