In this study, the influence of species type and sampling time on soil respiration in young and old oriental spruce (Picea orientalis (L.) Link.) stands without understory and with a Rhododendron ponticum L. understory and in adjacent grasslands were investigated in Kafkasör region, Artvin, Turkey. For this porpose, three sampling areas were choosen from each vegetation types. Soil respiration was measured at 12 trial courts approximately monthly from May’12 to November’12 using the soda-lime technique. Mean daily soil respiration across all sites ranged from 0,08 to 6,64 g C m-2 d-1. Generally mean soil respiration was higher than others at grasslands and was lower than the others at spruce with a Rhododendron ponticum L. understory. Changes in soil respiration were strongly related to soil temperature, soil moisture and sampling time changes. Overall, grasslands had significantly higher soil respiration rates than did adjacent old forests, indicating greater biological activity within the grasslands
