涡度相关技术及其在陆地生态系统通量研究中的应用

通量观测是定量描述土壤-植被-大气间物质循环和能量交换过程的基础。涡度相关技术作为直接测量植被冠层与大气间能量与物质交换通量的技术手段, 已经逐步发展成为国际通用的通量观测标准方法。随着涡度相关技术在全球碳水循环研究中的广泛应用, 长期连续的通量观测正在为准确评价生态系统碳固持能力、水分和能量平衡状况、生态系统对全球气候变化的反馈作用、区域和全球尺度模型的优化与验证、极端事件对生态系统结构与功能影响等方面的研究提供重要数据支撑和机制理解途径。通过站点尺度通量长期动态观测, 明确了不同气候区和植被类型生态系统碳水通量强度基线及其季节与年际变异特征。通过多站点联网观测, 在区域和全球尺度研究生态系统碳通量空间变异特征, 揭示了区域尺度上温度和降水对生态系统碳通量空间格局的生物地理学控制机制。该文概括地介绍了涡度相关技术的基本原理、假设与系统构成, 总结了涡度通量长期联网观测在陆地生态系统碳水通量研究中的主要应用, 并对通量研究发展前景进行了展望。     

涡度相关技术及其在陆地生态系统通量研究中的应用

通量观测是定量描述土壤-植被-大气间物质循环和能量交换过程的基础。涡度相关技术作为直接测量植被冠层与大气间能量与物质交换通量的技术手段,已经逐步发展成为国际通用的通量观测标准方法。随着涡度相关技术在全球碳水循环研究中的广泛应用,长期连续的通量观测正在为准确评价生态系统碳固持能力、水分和能量平衡状况、生态系统对全球气候变化的反馈作用、区域和全球尺度模型的优化与验证、极端事件对生态系统结构与功能影响等方面的研究提供重要数据支撑和机制理解途径。通过站点尺度通量长期动态观测,明确了不同气候区和植被类型生态系统碳水通量强度基线及其季节与年际变异特征。通过多站点联网观测,在区域和全球尺度研究生态系统碳通量空间变异特征,揭示了区域尺度上温度和降水对生态系统碳通量空间格局的生物地理学控制机制。该文概括地介绍了涡度相关技术的基本原理、假设与系统构成,总结了涡度通量长期联网观测在陆地生态系统碳水通量研究中的主要应用,并对通量研究发展前景进行了展望。     

青海湖北岸高寒草甸草原生态系统CO2通量特征及其驱动因子

 草甸草原是青藏高原的重要植被类型, 与其他植被类型相比, 其碳交换过程和驱动机理的研究仍较薄弱。利用青海湖东北岸草甸草原的涡度相关系统观测的连续数据(2010年7月1日–2011年6月30日), 分析了草甸草原CO₂通量特征及其驱动因子。结果表明: 草甸草原净生态系统CO₂交换量(NEE)在植物生长季的5–9月, 其日变化主要受控于光合光量子通量密度(PPFD); 而非生长季(10月21日–4月19日)和生长季初(4月下旬)、末期(10月中上旬) NEE的日变化主要受气温(T_a)的影响。CO₂
日最大吸收值和释放值分别出现在7月1日(11.37 g CO₂·m^–2·d^–1)和10月21日(4.04 g CO₂·m^–2·d^–1)。逐日NEE主要受控于T_a, 两者关系可用指数线性(explinear)方程表示(R² = 0.54, p < 0.01)。叶面积指数(LAI)和增强型植被指数(EVI)对逐日NEE的影响表现为渐近饱和型, LAI和T_a交互作用明显(p < 0.05), EVI的主效应强烈(p < 0.001)。生态系统的呼吸熵(Q₁₀)为2.42, 总呼吸(R_eco)约占总初级生产力(GPP)的74%。生长季适度的昼夜温差(<14.8 ℃)有利于系统的碳蓄积。研究时段该草甸草原作为碳汇从大气吸收271.31 g CO₂· m^–2。     

中国亚热带-暖温带过渡区锐齿栎林净生态系统碳交换特征

在2017年1月1日-2017年12月31日期间,采用涡度相关法对位于亚热带-暖温带气候过渡区的河南宝天曼国家级自然保护区的65年生锐齿栎（Quercus aliena）天然次生林的碳通量进行了连续观测。结果表明：在观测期间,该森林生态系统在生长季5-10月份为碳汇,非生长季各月为碳源,净碳吸收量与释放量分别在7月和4月达到最大。净生态系统生产力为569.4 g C m^-2a^-1,生态系统呼吸为529.9 g C m^-2a^-1,总生态系统生产力为1099.3 g C m^-2a^-1。30min尺度上夜间净生态系统碳交换量与5cm深度土壤温度的关系可用指数方程表示（R²=0.21,P < 0.001）,其温度敏感性系数（Temperature sensitivity coefficient,Q₁₀）为2.2。如果排除夜间通量观测的误差,处在海拔较高地区的夜间低温和非生长季的低温抑制了生态系统呼吸排放,可能导致全年生态系统呼吸量较低。在生长季5-10月份,各月的白天净生态系统碳交换量对光合有效辐射的响应符合直角双曲线模型,初始光能利用效率、平均最大光合速率和白天平均生态系统呼吸强度呈明显的季节变化,范围分别是0.06-0.12 μmol CO₂ μmol^-1 photon、0.44-1.47 mg CO₂ m^-2s^-1和0.07-0.19 mg CO₂ m^-2s^-1。夏季7、8月份,较高的饱和水汽压差对白天锐齿栎林的碳吸收有明显的抑制作用;生长季末期9月份较高的土壤含水量对白天锐齿栎林的碳吸收也产生了抑制作用,表明生长末期降水过多影响森林的碳吸收。     

通量季节变异的模拟

EALCO模型是一个基于生理生态学过程,模拟生态系统下垫面与大气之间水、热和碳通量交换的综合模型。将该模型应用在亚热带常绿针叶林, 对其生态系统过程进行了模拟,以深入探讨季节性干旱对生态系统过程的影响。对EALCO模型进行了参数化与初始化并对模型的光合作用时段和 落叶机制进行了改进,以更好地模拟亚热带人工针叶林生态系统。千烟洲通量观测站自2002年底开始应用涡度相关技术对中亚热带人工针叶林 生态系统进行通量观测,该站点2003年经历了一次较严重的季节性干旱(由高温与少雨综合作用造成),降水量仅为多年平均值的65%,而2004年 的年降水量与多年平均值较为接近,利用该站点2003和2004年特殊的气候条件,使用其通量观测数据对模型的模拟效果进行检验。从模拟结果 的总体趋势来看,模型能较好地从半小时、日及年尺度上反映两年内土壤-植被-大气之间的碳交换状况。总初级生产力(Gross primary production, GPP)在一年中呈现单峰型变化,遇高温及干旱胁迫GPP值下降。由于受到干旱胁迫的影响,2003年GPP值比2004年偏低12.9%。模拟 结果显示,2003年GPP值比2004年偏低11.2%。观测数据与模拟结果均显示,水分胁迫期间净碳交换量(Net ecosystem production, NEP)模拟值 与实测值的日变化均呈现一种“偏态",即一天中生态系统碳交换量最大值出现在上午某一时刻,之后逐渐降低。 模拟结果显示,水分匮缺对 光合能力的影响比对生态系统呼吸作用的影响更为强烈,因而导致了净生态系统生产力的降低。进一步分析表明,水分匮缺期间,晴天正午之 前,深层土壤( >20 cm) 水分的匮缺抑制了光合作用能力,正午之后,高温与深层土壤水分匮缺共同削弱光合作用能力,影响各占一半。     

区域尺度无人机涡动相关通量观测系统的应用研究

陆地生态系统的水热循环与碳循环是陆地表层系统中物质能量循环的核心,其中区域尺度地表水、热、碳通量的直接观测是当下陆地生态系统通量观测与模拟研究中的热点与难点。机载涡动相关方法能够直接观测区域尺度生态系统通量,基于无人机平台的涡动相关通量观测技术同时兼具了区域覆盖性与经济灵活性等优点,是机载通量观测技术的最新发展方向。在介绍机载涡动相关通量观测方法的主要技术原理、观测特点以及无人机通量观测系统组成的基础上,通过在相对均匀的区域开展无人机与地面通量观测对比试验,采用谱分析、观测结果对比以及源区分析等方式对无人机通量观测系统的性能进行了初步评价。结果表明：无人机通量观测系统能够实现对大气高频湍流信号的有效采样;无人机与地面观测的湍流通量具有较好的一致性,但是感热和CO₂通量出现了低估、潜热和摩擦风速出现了高估;观测平台与仪器的差异、垂直通量辐散、大气边界层条件、不同的地面源区及地表异质性的影响是造成二者差异的潜在主要因素。最后对未来研究目标进行了展望,以进一步推动该技术在相关领域中的应用。     

城市复杂环境中碳通量日变化规律及其影响因素

城市是人类居住和活动最集中地区，其CO₂排放量占世界总排放量的71%，城市碳排放规律研究对全球碳减排工作具有重要意义。利用涡动相关技术观测了北京市某街区2015年至2016年的CO₂通量，重点研究了不同时间尺度和气象条件下的CO₂通量的日变化规律，分析了影响城市CO₂通量的社会及自然因素。结果表明，CO₂通量日变化特征具有（1）明显的早晚"双峰型"特征，早晚高峰分别出现在早上7：30-9：30和晚上17：30-20：30；（2）周末特征：周末早高峰时间延迟，晚于工作日约1.5h，且峰值低了约10.8%，但晚高峰时间提前，且峰值高于工作日约10.6%；（3）季节特征：冬季CO₂通量均值和早高峰值明显高于其他季节，夏季中午具有明显低峰区；（4）风向特征：在不同来风方向上，CO₂通量的日变化峰值差异很大；（5）天气特征：阴天双峰特征比晴天明显。研究表明CO₂通量日变化主要与交通流量动态变化关系最为密切，其次要受到植被的影响。因此，交通减排和植被增汇对于控制城市碳排放具有重要意义。     

帽儿山地区落叶松人工林CO2通量特征及对林分碳收支的影响

2008年,采用涡度协方差法测定了黑龙江省尚志市帽儿山地区落叶松人工林的CO₂通量,并于生长季(5—10月)不同月份测定了落叶松叶片光合日变化.结果表明: 不同时间段环境因子变化对落叶松人工林净生态系统交换量的影响存在差异,下午(12:00—24:00) 的净生态系统交换量对其饱和蒸汽压亏缺的变化反应较上午(0:00—12:00)迟钝;上午光能利用效率为0.6284 mol·mol^-1,是下午的1.14倍;随温度上升,上午净生态系统交换量的增幅是下午的1.5倍(气温>15 ℃).这种差异使落叶松林净碳交换量的88%在上午完成,而下午仅完成净碳交换量的12％;上、下午生态系统生产力分别占全天的60%和40%,上午叶片的光合能力为下午的3倍.落叶松人工林全年净生态系统交换量在263～264 g C·m^-2,生态系统呼吸在718～725 g C·m^-2,总初级生产力在981～989 g C·m^-2.     

青藏高原高寒草甸土壤CO2排放对模拟氮沉降的早期响应

研究大气氮沉降输入对青藏高原高寒草甸土壤-大气界面CO₂交换通量的影响,对于准确评价全球变化背景下区域碳平衡至关重要。通过构建多形态、低剂量的增氮控制试验,利用静态箱-气相色谱法测定土壤CO₂排放通量,同时测定相关土壤变量和地上生物量,分析高寒草甸土壤CO₂排放特征及其主要驱动因子。研究结果表明:低、高剂量氮输入倾向于消耗土壤水分,而中剂量氮输入有利于土壤水分的保持;施氮初期总体上增加了土壤无机氮含量,铵态氮累积效应更为显著;施氮显著增加地上生物量和土壤CO₂排放通量,铵态氮的促进效应显著高于硝态氮。另外,土壤CO₂排放通量主要受土壤温度驱动,其次为地上生物量和铵态氮储量。上述结果反映了氮沉降输入短期内可能刺激了植物生长和土壤微生物活性,加剧了土壤-大气界面CO₂排放。     

基于EALCO模型对中亚热带人工针叶林CO2通量季节变异的模拟

 EALCO模型是一个基于生理生态学过程,模拟生态系统下垫面与大气之间水、热和碳通量交换的综合模型。将该模型应用在亚热带常绿针叶林, 对其生态系统过程进行了模拟,以深入探讨季节性干旱对生态系统过程的影响。对EALCO模型进行了参数化与初始化并对模型的光合作用时段和 落叶机制进行了改进,以更好地模拟亚热带人工针叶林生态系统。千烟洲通量观测站自2002年底开始应用涡度相关技术对中亚热带人工针叶林 生态系统进行通量观测,该站点2003年经历了一次较严重的季节性干旱(由高温与少雨综合作用造成),降水量仅为多年平均值的65%,而2004年 的年降水量与多年平均值较为接近,利用该站点2003和2004年特殊的气候条件,使用其通量观测数据对模型的模拟效果进行检验。从模拟结果 的总体趋势来看,模型能较好地从半小时、日及年尺度上反映两年内土壤-植被-大气之间的碳交换状况。总初级生产力(Gross primary production, GPP)在一年中呈现单峰型变化,遇高温及干旱胁迫GPP值下降。由于受到干旱胁迫的影响,2003年GPP值比2004年偏低12.9%。模拟 结果显示,2003年GPP值比2004年偏低11.2%。观测数据与模拟结果均显示,水分胁迫期间净碳交换量(Net ecosystem production, NEP)模拟值 与实测值的日变化均呈现一种“偏态",即一天中生态系统碳交换量最大值出现在上午某一时刻,之后逐渐降低。 模拟结果显示,水分匮缺对 光合能力的影响比对生态系统呼吸作用的影响更为强烈,因而导致了净生态系统生产力的降低。进一步分析表明,水分匮缺期间,晴天正午之 前,深层土壤( >20 cm) 水分的匮缺抑制了光合作用能力,正午之后,高温与深层土壤水分匮缺共同削弱光合作用能力,影响各占一半。     

陆地生态系统碳汇评估方法研究进展

“碳中和”是我国作出的一项重大的国家战略决策,陆地生态系统碳汇作为碳增汇的重要组成部分,在碳中和目标实现的过程中发挥着重要的作用。但当前基于不同观测数据和方法的陆地碳汇计算仍有很大的不确定性,为了全面了解陆地生态系统碳汇分布特征,提高陆地生态系统碳汇评估的准确性,梳理了近年来关于陆地生态系统碳汇评估的国内外研究进展,从“自下而上”和“自上而下”两类途径阐述了陆地生态系统碳汇评估的主要方法(样地清查法、涡度相关法、模型模拟法和碳同化反演法)的主要原理和特征,优势和缺陷,及在不同尺度碳汇研究中的应用,并从土地利用/覆盖变化、气候因素(大气CO₂浓度、氮沉降)、环境因素(太阳辐射、温度、降水)等因素阐述了陆地系统碳汇主要驱动因子;分析了我国陆地生态系统碳汇的主要特征及时空变化趋势,并从人类活动(生态工程)和环境因素阐述了中国陆地生态系统碳汇的驱动因素;最后,展望了新的监测手段和评估方法在提升陆地生态系统碳汇评估精度中的作用,从而更好的服务于我国“碳中和”的长远目标。     

Assessing the eddy covariance technique for evaluating carbon dioxide exchange rates of ecosystems: past, present and future

The eddy covariance technique ascertains the exchange rate of CO₂ across the interface between the atmosphere and a plant canopy by measuring the covariance between fluctuations in vertical wind velocity and CO₂ mixing ratio. Two decades ago, the method was employed to study CO₂ exchange of agricultural crops under ideal conditions during short field campaigns. During the past decade the eddy covariance method has emerged as an important tool for evaluating fluxes of carbon dioxide between terrestrial ecosystems and the atmosphere over the course of a year, and more. At present, the method is being applied in a nearly continuous mode to study carbon dioxide and water vapor exchange at over a hundred and eighty field sites, worldwide. The objective of this review is to assess the eddy covariance method as it is being applied by the global change community on increasingly longer time scales and over less than ideal surfaces. The eddy covariance method is most accurate when the atmospheric conditions (wind, temperature, humidity, CO₂) are steady, the underlying vegetation is homogeneous and it is situated on flat terrain for an extended distance upwind. When the eddy covariance method is applied over natural and complex landscapes or during atmospheric conditions that vary with time, the quantification of CO₂ exchange between the biosphere and atmosphere must include measurements of atmospheric storage, flux divergence and advection. Averaging CO₂ flux measurements over long periods (days to year) reduces random sampling error to relatively small values. Unfortunately, data gaps are inevitable when constructing long data records. Data gaps are generally filled with values produced from statistical and empirical models to produce daily and annual sums of CO₂ exchange. Filling data gaps with empirical estimates do not introduce significant bias errors because the empirical algorithms are derived from large statistical populations. On the other hand, flux measurement errors can be biased at night when winds are light and intermittent. Nighttime bias errors tend to produce an underestimate in the measurement of ecosystem respiration. Despite the sources of errors associated with long‐term eddy flux measurements, many investigators are producing defensible estimates of annual carbon exchange. When measurements come from nearly ideal sites the error bound on the net annual exchange of CO₂ is less than ±50 g C m^?2 yr^?1. Additional confidence in long‐term measurements is growing because investigators are producing values of net ecosystem productivity that are converging with independent values produced by measuring changes in biomass and soil carbon, as long as the biomass inventory studies are conducted over multiple years.     

Pan-Arctic soil moisture control on tundra carbon sequestration and plant productivity

Long-term atmospheric CO₂ concentration records have suggested a reduction in the positive effect of warming on high-latitude carbon uptake since the 1990s. A variety of mechanisms have been proposed to explain the reduced net carbon sink of northern ecosystems with increased air temperature, including water stress on vegetation and increased respiration over recent decades. However, the lack of consistent long-term carbon flux and in situ soil moisture data has severely limited our ability to identify the mechanisms responsible for the recent reduced carbon sink strength. In this study, we used a record of nearly 100 site-years of eddy covariance data from 11 continuous permafrost tundra sites distributed across the circumpolar Arctic to test the temperature (expressed as growing degree days, GDD) responses of gross primary production (GPP), net ecosystem exchange (NEE), and ecosystem respiration (ER) at different periods of the summer (early, peak, and late summer) including dominant tundra vegetation classes (graminoids and mosses, and shrubs). We further tested GPP, NEE, and ER relationships with soil moisture and vapor pressure deficit to identify potential moisture limitations on plant productivity and net carbon exchange. Our results show a decrease in GPP with rising GDD during the peak summer (July) for both vegetation classes, and a significant relationship between the peak summer GPP and soil moisture after statistically controlling for GDD in a partial correlation analysis. These results suggest that tundra ecosystems might not benefit from increased temperature as much as suggested by several terrestrial biosphere models, if decreased soil moisture limits the peak summer plant productivity, reducing the ability of these ecosystems to sequester carbon during the summer.     

基于数字相机的冬小麦物候和碳交换监测

利用数字相机自动、连续监测植被冠层物候变化,逐渐引起人们的广泛关注。依托中国陆地生态系统通量观测研究网络(ChinaFLUX),探讨了数字相机在监测冬小麦生长状况及生态系统碳交换方面的作用,得到如下结果:(1)利用数字相机图像提取的比值绿度指数G/R能较好地反映冬小麦冠层物候变化,通过分析比值绿度指数G/R的时间序列,得到了较为准确的冬小麦关键生育日期(与人工观测数据比较,误差<3 d),表明数字相机可以作为物候监测的一种有效手段;(2)数字相机图像获取的比值绿度指数能较好地模拟冬小麦总生态系统碳交换量GEE,R2为0.66,叶片最大光合同化速率与比值绿度指数G/R变化趋势基本一致。表明利用数字相机技术在一定程度上能够表征作物生理生态过程。从而为我国开展不同陆地生态系统自动连续物候监测,深入研究不同生态系统物候和碳循环的关系提供支持。     

Satellite Ecology (SATECO)—linking ecology,remote sensing and micrometeorology,from plot to regional scale,for the study of ecosystem structure and function

There is a growing requirement for ecosystem science to help inform a deeper understanding of the effects of global climate change and land use change on terrestrial ecosystem structure and function, from small area (plot) to landscape, regional and global scales. To meet these requirements, ecologists have investigated plant growth and carbon cycling processes at plot scale, using biometric methods to measure plant carbon accumulation, and gas exchange (chamber) methods to measure soil respiration. Also at the plot scale, micrometeorologists have attempted to measure canopy- or ecosystem-scale CO₂ flux by the eddy covariance technique, which reveals diurnal, seasonal and annual cycles. Mathematical models play an important role in integrating ecological and micrometeorological processes into ecosystem scales, which are further useful in interpreting time-accumulated information derived from biometric methods by comparing with CO₂ flux measurements. For a spatial scaling of such plot-level understanding, remote sensing via satellite is used to measure land use/vegetation type distribution and temporal changes in ecosystem structures such as leaf area index. However, to better utilise such data, there is still a need for investigations that consider the structure and function of ecosystems and their processes, especially in mountainous areas characterized by complex terrain and a mosaic distribution of vegetation. For this purpose, we have established a new interdisciplinary approach named ‘Satellite Ecology’, which aims to link ecology, remote sensing and micrometeorology to facilitate the study of ecosystem function, at the plot, landscape, and regional scale. This article was contributed at the invitation of the Editorial Committee.     

陆地生态系统碳通量面临的挑战与机遇——基于涡度协方差测定

区域和全球涡度协方差网络提供了基于陆地-大气生态系统间最大的综合性原位碳通量观测数据集。这些数据目前已成为自下而上核算陆地生态系统碳平衡的基础,但部分测量数据合理性问题引起通量界广泛关注。通过梳理近40年研究进展,总结了涡度协方差测量原理,系统地分析了仪器局限性和环境因素潜在影响,讨论了不同碳通量组分填补存在的争议、生态系统冬季休眠期的净碳吸现象违背生理学知识、夜间湍流发展不充分对生态系统呼吸的低估等,并由此产生数据偏移和测量滞后时间等。通过阐述涡度协方差测量原理和数据处理存在的缺陷与争议,提出了适当的改进措施以限制(或降低)数据测量产生的不确定性,旨在为后续监测精度提升和探究陆地生态系统碳循环及其对环境因子的响应提供理论支撑。     

Net uptake of atmospheric CO2 by coastal submerged aquatic vegetation

‘Blue Carbon’, which is carbon captured by marine living organisms, has recently been highlighted as a new option for climate change mitigation initiatives. In particular, coastal ecosystems have been recognized as significant carbon stocks because of their high burial rates and long‐term sequestration of carbon. However, the direct contribution of Blue Carbon to the uptake of atmospheric CO₂ through air‐sea gas exchange remains unclear. We performed in situ measurements of carbon flows, including air‐sea CO₂ fluxes, dissolved inorganic carbon changes, net ecosystem production, and carbon burial rates in the boreal (Furen), temperate (Kurihama), and subtropical (Fukido) seagrass meadows of Japan from 2010 to 2013. In particular, the air‐sea CO₂ flux was measured using three methods: the bulk formula method, the floating chamber method, and the eddy covariance method. Our empirical results show that submerged autotrophic vegetation in shallow coastal waters can be functionally a sink for atmospheric CO_2. This finding is contrary to the conventional perception that most near‐shore ecosystems are sources of atmospheric CO₂. The key factor determining whether or not coastal ecosystems directly decrease the concentration of atmospheric CO₂ may be net ecosystem production. This study thus identifies a new ecosystem function of coastal vegetated systems; they are direct sinks of atmospheric CO₂.     

FLUXNET and modelling the global carbon cycle

Measurements of the net CO₂ flux between terrestrial ecosystems and the atmosphere using the eddy covariance technique have the potential to underpin our interpretation of regional CO₂ source–sink patterns, CO₂ flux responses to forcings, and predictions of the future terrestrial C balance. Information contained in FLUXNET eddy covariance data has multiple uses for the development and application of global carbon models, including evaluation/validation, calibration, process parameterization, and data assimilation. This paper reviews examples of these uses, compares global estimates of the dynamics of the global carbon cycle, and suggests ways of improving the utility of such data for global carbon modelling. Net ecosystem exchange of CO₂ (NEE) predicted by different terrestrial biosphere models compares favourably with FLUXNET observations at diurnal and seasonal timescales. However, complete model validation, particularly over the full annual cycle, requires information on the balance between assimilation and decomposition processes, information not readily available for most FLUXNET sites. Site history, when known, can greatly help constrain the model‐data comparison. Flux measurements made over four vegetation types were used to calibrate the land‐surface scheme of the Goddard Institute for Space Studies global climate model, significantly improving simulated climate and demonstrating the utility of diurnal FLUXNET data for climate modelling. Land‐surface temperatures in many regions cool due to higher canopy conductances and latent heat fluxes, and the spatial distribution of CO₂ uptake provides a significant additional constraint on the realism of simulated surface fluxes. FLUXNET data are used to calibrate a global production efficiency model (PEM). This model is forced by satellite‐measured absorbed radiation and suggests that global net primary production (NPP) increased 6.2% over 1982–1999. Good agreement is found between global trends in NPP estimated by the PEM and a dynamic global vegetation model (DGVM), and between the DGVM and estimates of global NEE derived from a global inversion of atmospheric CO₂ measurements. Combining the PEM, DGVM, and inversion results suggests that CO₂ fertilization is playing a major role in current increases in NPP, with lesser impacts from increasing N deposition and growing season length. Both the PEM and the inversion identify the Amazon basin as a key region for the current net terrestrial CO₂ uptake (i.e. 33% of global NEE), as well as its interannual variability. The inversion's global NEE estimate of −1.2 Pg [C] yr⁻¹ for 1982–1995 is compatible with the PEM‐ and DGVM‐predicted trends in NPP. There is, thus, a convergence in understanding derived from process‐based models, remote‐sensing‐based observations, and inversion of atmospheric data. Future advances in field measurement techniques, including eddy covariance (particularly concerning the problem of night‐time fluxes in dense canopies and of advection or flow distortion over complex terrain), will result in improved constraints on land‐atmosphere CO₂ fluxes and the rigorous attribution of mechanisms to the current terrestrial net CO₂ uptake and its spatial and temporal heterogeneity. Global ecosystem models play a fundamental role in linking information derived from FLUXNET measurements to atmospheric CO₂ variability. A number of recommendations concerning FLUXNET data are made, including a request for more comprehensive site data (particularly historical information), more measurements in undisturbed ecosystems, and the systematic provision of error estimates. The greatest value of current FLUXNET data for global carbon cycle modelling is in evaluating process representations, rather than in providing an unbiased estimate of net CO₂ exchange.     

Comparison of soil respiration methods in a mid-latitude deciduous forest

In forest ecosystems the single largest respiratory flux influencing net ecosystem productivity (NEP) is the total soil CO₂ efflux; however, it is difficult to make measurements of this flux that are accurate at the ecosystem scale. We examined patterns of soil CO₂ efflux using five different methods: auto-chambers, portable gas analyzers, eddy covariance along and two models parameterized with the observed data. The relation between soil temperature and soil moisture with soil CO₂ effluxes are also investigated, both inter-annually and seasonally, using these observations/results. Soil respiration rates (R _soil) are greatest during the growing season when soil temperatures are between 15 and 25 °C, but some soil CO₂ efflux occurs throughout the year. Measured soil respiration was sensitive to soil temperature, particularly during the spring and fall. All measurement methods produced similar annual estimates. Depending on the time of the year, the eddy covariance (flux tower) estimate for ecosystem respiration is similar to or slightly lower than estimates of annual soil CO₂ efflux from the other methods. As the eddy covariance estimate includes foliar and stem respiration which the other methods do not; it was expected to be larger (perhaps 15–30%). The auto-chamber system continuously measuring soil CO₂ efflux rates provides a level of temporal resolution that permits investigation of short- to longer term influences of factors on these efflux rates. The expense of building and maintaining an auto chamber system may not be necessary for those researchers interested in estimating R _soil annually, but auto-chambers do allow the capture of data from all seasons needed for model parameterization.     

Uncertainty analysis of eddy flux measurements in typical ecosystems of ChinaFLUX

Fluxes of CO₂ (FCO₂) and energy (latent heat, LE; sensible heat, H) exchange between ecosystems and atmosphere, as measured by the eddy covariance technique, represent a fundamental data source for global-change research. However, little is known about the uncertainties of flux measurements at an ecosystem level in China. Here, we use data from six eddy covariance tower sites in ChinaFLUX, including two forested sites, three grassland sites, and one agricultural site, to conduct a cross-site analysis of random flux errors (RFEs) of FCO₂, LE, and H. By using the daily-differencing approach, paired observations are obtained to characterize the random error in these measurements. Our results show that: (1) The RFEs of FCO₂, LE, and H in different ecosystems of ChinaFLUX closely follow a double-exponential (Laplace) distribution, presumably due to a superposition of Gaussian distribution for high flux magnitude. (2) The RFEs of FCO₂, LE, and H are not homogeneous and appear to be a linear function of flux magnitude. (3) Except for H, the RFEs of FCO₂ and LE exhibit a distinct seasonal pattern. For FCO₂, the dependence of RFEs on wind speed varies somewhat according to vegetation type, whereas for LE and H, there is no such dependence. The effect of temperature on RFEs is not statistically significant (P < 0.05). Both the distribution and the relationship of RFEs with flux magnitude in ChinaFLUX are essentially in accord with those in AmeriFlux and CarboEurope.