LAUSR

Riparian zones provide multiple benefits including streambank stabilization and nutrient abatement. But there is a knowledge gap on how the type of vegetation and environmental factors (e.g., soil temperature, moisture) within the riparian zone influence CO2 and CH4 emissions. Our objective was to quantify and compare CO2 and CH4 emissions from an herbaceous (GRS) riparian, a rehabilitated riparian zone with deciduous trees (RH), a natural forested riparian zone with deciduous trees (UNF-D) or coniferous trees (UNF-C) and an agricultural field (AGR). Cumulative soil CO2 emission ranged from 23 to 105 g CO2 -C m-2 . CO2 emissions were greatest (p<0.05) in the GRS and lowest (p<0.05) in the UNF-C riparian zone. The best predictors for CO2 emissions were soil temperature and soil organic carbon (C) content. Cumulative CH4 emission ranged from -23 to 253 g CH4 -C m-2 . CH4 emissions were greatest (p<0.05) in the UNF-D and lowest (p<0.05) in the GRS riparian zone. The best predictors for CH4 emissions were soil moisture, soil organic C and photosynthetic photon flux density. We found that the total CO2 -C equivalent (i.e., CH4 + CO2 ) was greatest (p<0.05) for the GRS and lowest (p<0.05) for the UNF-C riparian zone. We found that the environmental factors controlling CO2 and CH4 emissions within the various riparian zones did not change, instead changes were due to how vegetation within riparian zones influenced these controls. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.