Effects of converting natural grasslands into planted grasslands on ecosystem respiration： a case study in Inner Mongolia, China

With increasingly intensifying degradation of natural grasslands and rapidly increasing demand of high quality forages, natural grasslands in China have been converted into planted grasslands at an unprecedented rate and the magnitude of the conversion in Inner Mongolia is among the national highest where the areal extent of planted grasslands ranks the second in China. Such land-use changes（i.e., converting natural grasslands into planted grasslands） can significantly affect carbon stocks and carbon emissions in grassland ecosystems. In this study, we analyzed the effects of converting natural grasslands into planted grasslands（including Medicago sativa, Elymus cylindricus, and M. sativa＋E. cylindricus） on ecosystem respiration（F（eco）） in Inner Mongolia of China. Diurnal F（eco） and its components（i.e., total soil respiration（F（ts））, soil heterotrophic respiration（F（sh）） and vegetation autotrophic respiration（F（va））） were measured in 2012（27 July to 5 August） and 2013（18 July to 25 July） in the natural and planted grasslands. Meteorological data, aboveground vegetation data and soil data were simultaneously collected to analyze the relationships between respiration fluxes and environmental factors in those grasslands. In 2012, the daily mean F（eco） in the M. sativa grassland was higher than that in the natural grassland, and the daily mean F（va） was higher in all planted grasslands（i.e., M. sativa, E. cylindricus, and M. sativa＋E. cylindricus） than in the natural grassland. In contrast, the daily mean F（ts） and F（sh） were lower in all planted grasslands than in the natural grassland. In 2013, the daily mean F（eco）, F（ts） and F（va） in all planted grasslands were higher than those in the natural grassland, and the daily mean F（sh） in the M. sativa＋E. cylindricus grassland was higher than that in the natural grassland. The two-year experimental results suggested that the conversion of natural grasslands into planted grasslands can generally increase the F（eco） and the increase in F（eco） is more pronounced when the plantation becomes more mature. The results also indicated that F（sh） contributed more to F（eco） in the natural grassland whereas F（va） contributed more to F（eco） in the planted grasslands. The regression analyses show that climate factors（air temperature and relative humidity） and soil properties（soil organic matter, soil temperature, and soil moisture） strongly affected respiration fluxes in all grasslands. However, our observation period was admittedly too short. To fully understand the effects of such land-use changes（i.e., converting natural grasslands into planted grasslands） on respiration fluxes, longer-term observations are badly needed.

Growing Season Ecosystem Respirations and Associated Component Fluxes in Two Alpine Meadows on the Tibetan Plateau

From 30 June to 24 September in 2003 ecosystem respiration （Re） in two alpine meadows on the Tibetan Plateau were measured using static chamber- and gas chromatography- （GC） based techniques. Simultaneously, plant removal treatments were set to partition Re into plant autotrophic respiration （Ra） and microbial heterotrophic respiration （Rh）. Results indicated that Re had clear diurnal and seasonal variation patterns in both of the meadows. The seasonal variability of Re at both meadow sites was caused mainly by changes in Ra, rather than Rh. Moreover, atthe Kobresia humilis meadow site （K_site）, Ra and Rh accounted for 54% and 46% of Re, respectively. While at the Potentilla fruticosa scrub meadow （P_site）, the counterparts accounted for 61% and 39%, respectively. T test showed that there was significant difference in Re rates between the two meadows （t = 2.387, P = 0.022）. However, no significant difference was found in Rh rates, whereas a significant difference was observed in Ra rates between the two meadows. Thus, the difference in Re rate between the two meadows was mainly attributed to plant autotrophic respirations. During the growing season, the two meadows showed relatively low Q10 values, suggesting that Re, especially Rh was not sensitive to temperature variation in the growing season. Additionally, Re and Rh at the K_site, as well as Rh at the Psite was negatively correlated with soil moisture, indicating that soil moisture would also play an important role in respirations.

Divergent apparent temperature sensitivity of terrestrial ecosystem respiration

Aims Recent studies revealed convergent temperature sensitivity of ecosys-tem respiration(Re)within aquatic ecosystems and between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.We do not know yet whether various terres-trial ecosystems have consistent or divergent temperature sensitivity.Here,we synthesized 163 eddy covariance flux sites across the world and examined the global variation of the apparent activation energy(Ea),which characterizes the apparent temperature sensitivity of and its interannual variability(IAV)as well as their controlling factors.Methods We used carbon fluxes and meteorological data across FLUXNET sites to calculate mean annual temperature,tempera-ture range,precipitation,global radiation,potential radiation,gross primary productivity and Re by averaging the daily values over the years in each site.Furthermore,we analyzed the sites with>8 years data to examine the IAV of Ea and calculated the standard deviation of Ea across years at each site to character-ize IAV.Important Findings The results showed a widely global variation of Ea,with significantly lower values in the tropical and subtropical areas than in temperate and boreal areas,and significantly higher values in grasslands and wetlands than that in deciduous broadleaf forests and evergreen for-ests.Globally,spatial variations of Ea were explained by changes in temperature and an index of water availability with differing contribution of each explaining variable among climate zones and biomes.IAV and the corresponding coefficient of variation of Ea decreased with increasing latitude,but increased with radiation and corresponding mean annual temperature.The revealed patterns in the spatial and temporal variations of Ea and its controlling factors indicate divergent temperature sensitivity of Re,which could help to improve our predictive understanding of Re in response to climate change.

A global terrestrial ecosystem respiration dataset(2001-2010)estimated with MODIS land surface temperature and vegetation indices

This paper describes how a validated semi-empirical,but physiologically based,remote sensing model-Ensemble_all-was upscaled using MODIS land surface temperature data(MOD11C2),enhanced vegetation indices(MOD13C1)and land-cover data(MCD12C1)to produce a global terrestrial ecosystem respiration data set(Reco)for January 2001-December 2010.The temporal resolution of this data set is 1 month,the spatial resolution is 0.05°,and the range is from 55°S to 65°N and 180°W to 180°E(crop and natural vegetation mosaic is not included).After crossvalidating our data set using in-situ observations as well as Reco outputs from an empirical variable_Q10 model,a LPJ_S1 process model and a machine learning method model,we found that our data set performed well in detecting both temporal and spatial patterns in Reco’s simulation in most ecosystems across the world.This data set can be found at http://www.dx.doi.org/10.11922/sciencedb.934.

Comparing the seasonal variation of parameter estimation of ecosystem carbon exchange between alpine meadow and cropland in Heihe River Basin,northwestern China

Grasslands and agro-ecosystems occupy one-third of the global terrestrial area. However, great uncertainty still exists about their contributions to the global carbon cycle. This study used various combinations of a simple ecosystem respiration model and a photosynthesis model to simulate the influence of different climate factors, specifically radiation, temperature, and moisture, on the ecosystem carbon exchange at two dissimilar study sites. Using a typical alpine meadow site in a cold region and a typical cropland site in an arid region as cases, we investigated the response char- acteristics of productivity of grasslands and croplands to different environmental factors, and analyzed the seasonal change patterns of different model parameters. Parameter estimations and uncertainty analyses were performed based on a Bayesian approach. Our results indicated that： （1） the net ecosystem exchange （NEE） of alpine meadow and seeded maize during the growing season presented obvious diurnal and seasonal variation patterns. On the whole, the alpine meadow and seeded maize ecosystems were both apparent sinks for atmospheric CO2; （2） in the daytime, the mean NEE of the two ecosystems had the largest values in July and the lowest values in October. However, overall carbon uptake in the cropland was greater than in the alpine meadow from June to September; （3） at the alpine meadow site, temperature was the main limiting factor influencing the ecosystem carbon exchange variations during the growing season, while the sensitivity to water limitation was relatively small since there is abundant of rainfall in this region; （4） at the cropland site, both temperature and moisture were the most important limiting factors for the variations of ecosystem carbon exchanges during the growing season; and （5） some parameters had an obvious characteristic of seasonal patterns, while others had only small seasonal variations.

Net Ecosystem CO2 Flux and Effect Factors in Peatland Ecosystem of Central China

Peatland ecosystems play an important role in the global carbon cycle because they act as a pool or sink for the carbon cycle. However, the relationship between seasonality effect factors and net ecosystem CO2 exchange (NEE) remains to be clarified, particularly for the non-growing season. Here, based on the eddy covariance technique, NEE in the peatland ecosystem of Central China was examined to measure two years’ (2016 and 2017) accumulation of carbon dioxide emissions with contrasting seasonal distribution of environmental factors. Our results demonstrate the cumulative net ecosystem CO2 emissions during the study period was in the first non-growing season 2.94 ± 4.83 μmolCO2 m-2.s-1 with the lowest values in the same year in first growing season was -2.79 ± 4.92 μmolCO2 m-2.s-1. The results indicate the effect of seasonal variations of NEE can be directly reflected in daily and seasonal variations in growth and respiration of peatland ecosystem by environmental parameters over different growing stages.

Summertime CO_2 fluxes from tundra of Ny-?lesund in the High Arctic

The Arctic ecosystem, especially High Arctic tundra, plays a unique role in the global carbon cycle because of amplified warming in the region. However, relatively little research has been conducted in High Arctic tundra compared with other global ecosystems. In the present work, summertime net ecosystem exchange （NEE）, ecosystem respiration （ER）, and photosynthesis were investigated at six tundra sites （DM1-DM6） on Ny-A.lesund in the High Arctic. NEE at the tundra sites varied between a weak sink and strong source （-3.3 to 19.0 mg CO2·m-2.h-1）. ER and gross photosynthesis were 42.8 to 92.9 mg CO2·m-2·h-1 and 54.7 to 108.7 mg CO2·m-2·h-1, respectively. The NEE variations showed a significant correlation with photosynthesis rates, whereas no significant correlation was found with ecosystem respiration, indicating that NEE variations across the region were controlled by differences in net uptake of CO2 owing to photosynthesis, rather than by variations in ER. A Qm value of 1.80 indicated weak temperature sensitivity of tundra ER and its response to future global warming. NEE and gross photosynthesis also showed relatively strong correlations with C/N ratio. The tundra ER, NEE, and gross photosynthesis showed variations over slightly waterlogged wetland tundra, mesic and dry tundra. Overall, soil temperature, nutrients and moisture can be key effects on CO2 fluxes, ecosystem respiration, and NEE in the High Arctic.

Carbon dioxide fluxes of tundra vegetation communities on an esker top in the low-Arctic

Previous studies have shown that carbon dioxide fluxes vary considerably among Arctic environments and it is important to assess these differences in order to develop our understanding of the role of Arctic tundra in the global carbon cycle. Although many previous studies have examined tundra carbon dioxide fluxes, few have concentrated on elevated terrain(hills and ridge tops) that is exposed to harsh environmental conditions resulting in sparse vegetation cover and seemingly low productivity. In this study we measured carbon dioxide(CO2) exchange of four common tundra communities on the crest of an esker located in the central Canadian low-Arctic. The objectives were to quantify and compare CO2 fluxes from these communities, investigate responses to environmental variables and qualitatively compare fluxes with those from similar communities growing in less harsh lowland tundra environments. Measurements made during July and August 2010 show there was little difference in net ecosystem exchange(NEE) and gross ecosystem production(GEP) among the three deciduous shrub communities, Arctous alpina, Betula glandulosa and Vaccinium uliginosum, with means ranging from -4.09 to -6.57 μmol·m^-2·s^-1 and -7.92 to -9.24 μmol·m^-2·s^-1, respectively. Empetrum nigrum communities had significantly smaller mean NEE and GEP(-1.74 and -4.08 μmol·m^-2·s^-1, respectively). Ecosystem respiration(ER) was similar for all communities(2.56 to 3.03 μmol·m^-2·s^-1), except the B. glandulosa community which had a larger mean flux(4.66 μmol·m^-2·s^-1). Overall, fluxes for these esker-top communities were near the upper range of fluxes reported for other tundra communities. ER was related to soil temperature in all of the communities. Only B. glandulosa GEP and ER showed sensitivity to a persistent decline in soil moisture throughout the study. These findings may have important implications for how esker tops would be treated in construction of regional carbon budgets and for predicting the impacts of climate change on Arctic tundra future carbon budgets.

Differences in respiration components and their dominant regulating factors across three alpine grasslands on the Qinghai−Tibet Plateau

Greenhouse gases(GHGs)emissions from high-cold terrestrial ecosystems underlain by permafrost on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau(QTP)have received widespread attention.However,the dominant factors regulating ecosystem respiration(Re)and its components(soil respiration Rs and heterotrophic respiration Rh)and how the differences in carbon emissions from different ecotypes and seasons remain are still unclear.We conducted a 2-year field investigation(August 2018 to October 2020)and applied the structural equation model(SEM)to clarify the changes in the factors controlling the respiration components during different seasons.The results indicate that the R_(e)and its controlling factors in three alpine grassland ecosystems(alpine steppe,alpine meadow,and swamp meadow)vary with seasons.Furthermore,autotrophic respiration(Ra)contributes the most to the seasonal changes in R_(e).The R_(e)gradually increases in the early growing season and rapidly decreases in the late growing season.Rh remains relatively stable during the year.Under these seasonal variations in the respiration components,the dominant factors controlling R_(e)in the nongrowing season are the temperature of the atmosphere–soil interface(heat flux,atmospheric temperature,and soil temperature at 5 cm depth)and microbial activity(microbial carbon and pH)with the variable importance projections>1.5.During the growing season,the dominant factors regulating R_(e),Rs,and Rh are the soil temperature with a standardized direct effect(SDE)of 0.424,soil nutrient conditions(total nitrogen and pH)with SDEs of 0.570–0.614,and microbial activity(microbial carbon)with a SDE of 0.591,respectively.In addition,meteorological conditions have an important impact on the respiration components during the growing season.Specifically,the atmospheric vapor pressure is the dominant factor regulating the three respiration components(standardized total effects=0.44−0.53,p<0.001).The optimal soil water contents during the growing season(water content at which R_(e)reaches the maximum)are 10%in the alpine steppe,13%–15%in the alpine meadow,and 40%–43%in the swamp meadow,respectively.The effect of the soil water content on R_(e)is more important in arid ecosystems(alpine steppe and alpine meadow)than in wet ecosystem(swamp meadow).The alleviation of water limitations in arid ecosystems may potentially increase R_(e).

Altitudinal variation of ecosystem CO_(2) fluxes in an alpine grassland from 3600 to 4200 m

Aims Recent studies have recognized the alpine grasslands on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau as a significant sink for atmospheric CO_(2).The carbon-sink strength may differ among grassland ecosystems at various altitudes because of contrasting biotic and physical environments.This study aims(i)to clarify the altitudinal pattern of ecosystem CO_(2) fluxes,including gross primary production(GPP),daytime ecosystem respiration(Redaytime)and net ecosystem production(NEP),during the period with peak above-ground biomass;and(ii)to elucidate the effects of biotic and abiotic factors on the altitudinal variation of ecosystem CO_(2) fluxes.Methods Ecosystem CO_(2) fluxes and abiotic and biotic environmental factors were measured in an alpine grassland at four altitudes from 3600 to 4200 m along a slope of the Qilian Mountains on the northwestern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau during the growing season of 2007.We used a closed-chamber method combined with shade screens and an opaque cloth to measure several carbon fluxes,GPP,Redaytime and NEP,and factors,light-response curve for GPP and temperature sensitivity of Redaytime.Above-and below-ground biomasses and soil C and N contents at each measurement point were also measured.Important Findings(i)Altitudinal pattern of ecosystem CO_(2) fluxes:The maximum net ecosystem CO_(2) flux(NEPmax),i.e.the potential ecosystem CO_(2) sink strength,was markedly different among the four altitudes.NEPmax was higher at the highest and lowest sites,ap proximately
7.460.9 and
6.760.6 lmol CO_(2) m^(-2)s^(-1)(mean 6 standard error),respectively,but smaller at the intermediate altitude sites(3800 and 4000 m).The altitudinal pattern of maximum gross primary production was similar to that of NEPmax.The Redaytime,however,was significantly higher at the lowest altitude(3.460.3 lmol CO_(2) m^(-2)s^(-1))than at the other three altitudes.(ii)Altitudinal variation of vegetation biomass:The aboveground biomass was higher at the highest altitude(154627 g DW m
2)than at the other altitudes,which we attribute mainly to the large biomass in cushion plants at the highest altitude.The small above-ground biomass at the lower altitudes was probably due to heavy grazing during the growing season.(iii)Features of ecosystem CO_(2) fluxes:Redaytime and GPP were positively correlated with above-ground biomass.The low ratio of Redaytime to GPP at either the measurement point or the site level suggests that CO_(2) uptake efficiency tends to be higher at higher altitudes,which indicates a high potential sink strength for atmospheric CO_(2) despite the low temperature at high altitudes.The results suggest that the effect of grazing intensity on ecosystem carbon dynamics,partly by decreasing vegetation biomass,should be clarified further.

Soil warming effect on net ecosystem exchange of carbon dioxide during the transition from winter carbon source to spring carbon sink in a temperate urban lawn

The significant warming in urban environment caused by the combined effects of global warming and heat island has stimulated widely development of urban vegetations. However, it is less known of the climate feedback of urban lawn in warmed environment. Soil warming effect on net ecosystem exchange （NEE） of carbon dioxide during the transition period from winter to spring was investigated in a temperate urban lawn in Beijing, China. The NEE （negative for uptake） under soil warming treatment （temperature was about 5~C higher than the ambient treatment as a control） was -0.71 ~mol/（m2.sec）, the ecosytem was a CO2 sink under soil warming treatment, the lawn ecosystem under the control was a CO2 source （0.13 Ixmol/（mE.sec））, indicating that the lawn ecosystem would provide a negative feedback to global warming. There was no significant effect of soil warming on nocturnal NEE （i.e., ecosystem respiration）, although the soil temperature sensitivity （Q10） of ecosystem respiration under soil warming treatment was 3.86, much lower than that in the control （7.03）. The CO2 uptake was significantly increased by soil warming treatment that was attributed to about 100% increase of ct （apparent quantum yield） and Amax （maximum rate of photosynthesis）. Our results indicated that the response of photosynthesis in urban lawn is much more sensitive to global warming than respiration in the transition period.

Influencing factors and partitioning of respiration in a Leymus chinensis steppe in Xilin River Basin, Inner Mongolia, China

Based on the static opaque chamber method,the respiration rates of soil microbial respiration,soil respiration,and ecosystem respiration were measured through continuous in-situ experiments during rapid growth season in semiarid Leymus chinensis steppe in the Xilin River Basin of Inner Mongolia,China. Soil temperature and moisture were the main factor affecting respiration rates. Soil temperature can explain most CO2 efflux variations （R2=0.376-0.655） excluding data of low soil water conditions. Soil moisture can also effectively explain most of the variations of soil and ecosystem respiration （R2=0.314-0.583）,but it can not explain much of the variation of microbial respiration （R2=0.063）. Low soil water content （≤5%） inhibited CO2 efflux though the soil temperature was high. Rewetting the soil after a long drought resulted in substantial increases in CO2 flux at high temperature. Bi-variable models based on soil temperature at 5 cm depth and soil moisture at 0-10 cm depth can explain about 70% of the variations of CO2 effluxes. The contribution of soil respiration to ecosystem respiration averaged 59.4%,ranging from 47.3% to 72.4%; the contribution of root respiration to soil respiration averaged 20.5%,ranging from 11.7% to 51.7%. The contribution of soil to ecosystem respiration was a little overestimated and root to soil respiration little underestimated because of the increased soil water content that occurred as a result of plant removal.

The role of shrub(Potentilla fruticosa)on ecosystem CO_(2) fluxes in an alpine shrub meadow

Aims Recent studies have shown that alpine meadows on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau act as significant CO_(2)sinks.On the plateau,alpine shrub meadow is one of typical grassland ecosystems.The major alpine shrub on the plateau is Potentilla fruticosa L.(Rosaceae),which is distributed widely from 3200 to 4000 m.Shrub species play an important role on carbon sequestration in grassland ecosystems.In addition,alpine shrubs are sensitive to climate change such as global warming.Considering global warming,the biomass and productivity of P.fruticosa will increase on Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.Thus,understanding the carbon dynamics in alpine shrub meadow and the role of shrubs around the upper distribution limit at present is essential to predict the change in carbon sequestration on the plateau.However,the role of shrubs on the carbon dynamics in alpine shrub meadow remains unclear.The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the magnitude of CO_(2)exchange of P.fruticosa shrub patches around the upper distribution limit and to elucidate the role of P.fruticosa on ecosystem CO_(2)fluxes in an alpine meadow.Methods We used the static acrylic chamber technique to measure and estimate the net ecosystem productivity(NEP),ecosystem respiration(Re),and gross primary productivity(GPP)of P.fruticosa shrub patches at three elevations around the species’upper distribution limit.Ecosystem CO_(2)fluxes and environmental factors were measured from 17 to 20 July 2008 at 3400,3600,and 3800 m a.s.l.We examined the maximum GPP at infinite light(GPPmax)and maximum Re(Remax)during the experimental time at each elevation in relation to aboveground biomass and environmental factors,including air and soil temperature,and soil water content.Important Findings Patches of P.fruticosa around the species’upper distribution limit absorbed CO_(2),at least during the daytime.Maximum NEP at infinite light(NEPmax)and GPPmax of shrub patches in the alpine meadow varied among the three elevations,with the highest values at 3400 m and the lowest at 3800 m.GPPmax was positively correlated with the green biomass of P.fruticosa more strongly than with total green biomass,suggesting that P.fruticosa is the major contributor to CO_(2)uptake in the alpine shrub meadow.Air temperature influenced the potential GPPat the shrub-patch scale.Remax was correlated with aboveground biomass and Remax normalized by aboveground biomass was influenced by soil water content.Potentilla fruticosa height(biomass)and frequency increased clearly as elevation decreased,which promotes the large-scale spatial variation of carbon uptake and the strength of the carbon sink at lower elevations.

Characterization of CO_(2) flux in three Kobresia meadows differing in dominant species

Aims Kobresia meadows,the dominant species of which differ in different habitats,cover a large area of alpine grassland on the QinghaiTibetan Plateau and act as potential CO_(2) sinks.Kobresia meadows with different dominant species may differ in carbon sink strength.We aimed to test the hypothesis and to clarify the differences in CO_(2) sink strength among three major Kobresia meadows on the plateau and the mechanisms underlying these differences.Methods We measured the net ecosystem exchange flux(NEE),ecosystem respiration flux(ER),aboveground biomass(AGB)and environmental variables in three Kobresia meadows,dominated by K.pygmaea,K.humilis,or K.tibetica,respectively,in Haibei,Qinghai.NEE and ER were measured by a closed-chamber method.Environmental variables,including photosynthetic photon flux density(PPFD),air and soil temperature and air and soil moisture,were monitored during the above flux measurements.Important findings The measured peak AGB increased with soil water content and was 365,402 and 434 g dry weight m
2 for K.pygmaea,K.humilis and K.tibetica meadow,respectively.From the maximum ecosystem photosynthetic rate in relation to PPFD measured during the growing season,we estimated gross ecosystem photosynthetic potential(GEPmax)as 22.2,29.9 and 37.8 lmol CO_(2) m
2 s
1 for K.pygmaea,K.humilis and K.tibetica meadow,respectively.We estimated the respective gross primary production(GPP)values as 799,1063 and 1158 g C m^(-2) year^(-1) and ER as 722,914 and 1011 g C m^(-2) year^(-1).Average net ecosystem production(NEP)was estimated to be 76.9,149.4 and 147.6 g C m^(-2) year^(-1) in K.pygmaea,K.humilis and K.tibetica meadows,respectively.The results indicate that(i)the three meadows were CO_(2) sinks during the study period and(ii)Kobresia meadows dominated by different species can differ considerably in carbon sink strength even under the same climatic conditions,which suggests the importance of characterizing spatial heterogeneity of carbon dynamics in the future.

Heat and drought impact on carbon exchange in an age-sequence of temperate pine forests

Background:Most North American temperate forests are plantation or regrowth forests,which are actively managed.These forests are in different stages of their growth cycles and their ability to sequester atmospheric carbon is affected by extreme weather events.In this study,the impact of heat and drought events on carbon sequestration in an age‑sequence(80,45,and 17 years as of 2019)of eastern white pine(Pinus strobus L.)forests in southern Ontario,Canada was examined using eddy covariance flux measurements from 2003 to 2019.Results:Over the 17‑year study period,the mean annual values of net ecosystem productivity(NEP)were 180±96,538±177 and 64±165 g C m^(–2)yr^(–1)in the 80‑,45‑and 17‑year‑old stands,respectively,with the highest annual carbon sequestration rate observed in the 45‑year‑old stand.We found that air temperature(Ta)was the dominant control on NEP in all three different‑aged stands and drought,which was a limiting factor for both gross ecosystem productivity(GEP)and ecosystems respiration(RE),had a smaller impact on NEP.However,the simultaneous occurrence of heat and drought events during the early growing seasons or over the consecutive years had a significant negative impact on annual NEP in all three forests.We observed a similar trend of NEP decline in all three stands over three consecutive years that experienced extreme weather events,with 2016 being a hot and dry,2017 being a dry,and 2018 being a hot year.The youngest stand became a net source of carbon for all three of these years and the oldest stand became a small source of carbon for the first time in 2018 since observations started in 2003.However,in 2019,all three stands reverted to annual net carbon sinks.Conclusions:Our study results indicate that the timing,frequency and concurrent or consecutive occurrence of extreme weather events may have significant implications for carbon sequestration in temperate conifer forests in Eastern North America.This study is one of few globally available to provide long‑term observational data on carbon exchanges in different‑aged temperate plantation forests.It highlights interannual variability in carbon fluxes and enhances our understanding of the responses of these forest ecosystems to extreme weather events.Study results will help in developing climate resilient and sustainable forestry practices to offset atmospheric greenhouse gas emissions and improving simulation of carbon exchange processes in terrestrial ecosystem models.

Biophysical regulations of NEE light response in a steppe and a cropland in Inner Mongolia

Aims Ecosystem carbon models often require accurate net ecosystem exchange of CO_(2)(NEE)light-response parameters,which can be derived from the Michaelis–Menten equation.These parameters include maximum net ecosystem exchange(NEE_(max)),apparent quantum use efficiency(a)and daytime ecosystem respiration rate(R_(e)).However,little is known about the effects of land conversion between steppe and cropland on these parameters,especially in semi-arid regions.To understand how these parameters vary in responses to biotic and abiotic factors under land conversions,seasonal variation of light-response parameters were evaluated for a steppe and a cropland of Inner Mongolia,China,during three consecutive years(2006–08)with different precipitation amounts.Methods NEE was measured over a steppe and a cropland in Duolun,Inner Mongolia,China,using the eddy covariance technique,and NEE light-response parameters(NEE_(max),α and R_(e))were derived using the Michaelis–Menten model.Biophysical regulations of these parameters were evaluated using a stepwise regression analysis.Important Findings The maximum absolute values of NEE_(max) occurred in the meteorological regimes of 15℃<T_(a)<25℃,vapor pressure deficit(VPD)<1 KPa and 0.21 m^(3) m^(-3)<volumetric soil water content at 10 cm(SWC)<0.28 m^(3) m^(-3) for both the steppe and the cropland ecosystems.The variations of α and R_(e) showed no regular variation pattern in different T_(air),VPD and SWC regimes.Under the same regime of T_(air),VPDand SWC,the cropland had higher absolute values of NEE_(max) than the steppe.Canopy conductance and leaf area index(LAI)were dominant drivers for variations in NEE light-response parameters of the steppe and the cropland.The seasonal variation of NEE light-response parameters followed the variation of LAI for two ecosystems.The peak values of all light-response parameters for the steppe and the cropland occurred fromJuly to August.The values of NEE light-response parameters(NEE_(max),α and R_(e))were lower in the driest year(2007).Seasonally averaged NEE light-response parameters for the cropland surpassed those for the steppe.Land conversion from steppe to cropland enhanced NEE light-response parameters during the plant growing period.These results will have significant implications for improving the models on regional NEE variation under climate change and land-use change scenarios.

Nitrogen enrichment alters carbon fluxes in a New England salt marsh

Introduction:Nitrogen enrichment of coastal salt marshes can induce feedbacks that alter ecosystem-level processes including primary production and carbon sequestration.Despite the rising interest in coastal blue carbon,the effects of chronic nutrient enrichment on blue carbon processes have rarely been measured in the context of experimental fertilization.Here,we examined the ecosystem-level effects of nitrate(NO3)enrichment on the green-house gas dynamics of a Spartina alterniflora-dominated salt marsh.We measured CO2 and CH4 fluxes using static chambers through two growing seasons in a salt marsh that was nitrogen-enriched for 13 years and compared fluxes to those from a reference marsh.Outcomes:We found that nitrogen enrichment increased gross primary productivity(GPP)by 7.7%and increased ecosystem respiration(Recd)by 20.8%.However,nitrogen enrichment had no discernible effect on net ecosystem exchange(NEE).Taken together,these results suggest that nitrogen-induced stimulation of Reco could transform this salt marsh from a carbon sink into a source of carbon to the atmos phere.Conclusion:Our results complement prior findings of nitrogen enrichment weakening soil structure and organic matter stability in tidal salt marshes,suggesting that increased nutrient inputs have the potential to alter the carbon storage function of these ecosystems through enhanced microbial respiration of previously sequestered carbon.