The temperature coefficient (Q10) of Cmin was calculated using the
formula described by Chen et al. (2000). Q10 has been used as a constant
in most early studies of soil respiration (Xu and Qi, 2001). However, it
was later found that the Q10 value has great variability from non-sensitive
(Q10 b 1) to extremely sensitive (Q10 N 20) (Janssens and Pilegaard,
2003; Pavelka et al., 2007). This shows distinct difference from the typical
temperature sensitivity (Q10 ≈ 2) based on enzymatic dynamics.
Analysis of variation of Q10 values in different types of soils has implications
for accurately assessing the effect of Cmin inthe soil onCO2 concentration
in the atmosphere.