International Academy of Ecology and Environmental Sciences Proceedings of the International Academy of Ecology and Environmental Sciences 2220-8860 13 3 2023 9 1 Dynamics of soil CO2 efflux in three tropical dry deciduous forests of Central Indian landscape 111-125 EN Javid Ahmad Dar Debojyoti Raha Subashree Kothandaraman Manzoor Hassan Malik Najeeb Ahmad Bhat Mohammed Latif Khan http://www.iaees.org/publications/journals/piaees/articles/2023-13(3)/dynamics-of-soil-CO2-efflux-in-dry-deciduous-forests.pdf> Dynamics of soil CO2 efflux in tropical dry deciduous forests is imperative to know their contribution in regulating the regional and global carbon (C) cycles. In this study, three forest types: dry deciduous teak (DDTF), dry deciduous mixed (DDMF) and Boswellia (BF) forests were selected to measure the dynamics of soil CO2 efflux and its driving factors. Significantly (p less than 0.001) higher mean monthly CO2 efflux was recorded in DDMF (626.1 +- 9.1 mg CO2/m2/h) while it was lowest in BF (122.3 +- 5.0 mg CO2/m2/h) and DDTF (142.8 +- 6.9 mg CO2/m2/h) forest types, respectively. The CO2 efflux peaked during the rainy season (mean 551.1 +- 63.5 mg CO2/m2/h, DDMF) followed by summer (363.7 +- 68.6 mg CO2/m2/h, DDTF) and the lowest in winter (181.8 +- 36.3 mg CO2/m2/h, BF) season. Significantly (p less than 0.05) lower soil temperature (TS) and higher soil moisture (MS) content were observed in BF and DDMF forest types, respectively. The cumulative annual soil CO2 efflux was highest in DDMF (4625.2 mg CO2/m2/yr) and lowest in BF (3536.7 mg CO2/m2/yr). Soil CO2 efflux was significantly positively correlated with TS (R2 = 0.49), MS (R2 = 0.59). This study will provide an understanding of the dynamics of soil CO2 efflux among tropical dry deciduous forest types in the Central Indian landscape and identify the roles of different drivers in soil CO2 efflux.