From eddy covariance measurements made during the following spring, we
obtained flux estimates of 0.46 ± 0.41, 0.49 ± 0.49, and 0.49 ± 0.53 μmol m-2 s-1 for
April, May, and the first part of June. For the period in between these two measurement
periods (August-March), we constructed a simple temperature-dependent model with a
Q10 of 2 based on monthly mean surface air temperatures. We adjusted the baseline soil
respiration rate such that the model and measured fluxes optimally matched both the July
and the following May flux data. For the modeled fluxes we assumed an error of ± 50%
reflecting uncertainties in our understanding of the temperature sensitivity of respiration
and winter controls on microbial processes. The sum of modeled losses over this interval
was 99 ± 49 g C m-2. The total ecosystem respiratory loss during the first post-fire year
was 202 ± 53 g C m-2 yr-1.