黑河上游植被总初级生产力遥感估算及其对气候变化的响应

定量描述植被总初级生产力(GPP)对于全球碳循环和全球气候变化研究具有重要意义。针对MODIS MOD_17 GPP (MOD_17)产品在通量站点低估的现象, 通过3个实验依次改进了模型输入参数(气象数据和吸收的光合有效辐射吸收比例(fPAR))和模型本身的参数(最大光能利用率), 分析了各个参数对模拟结果的不确定性影响, 结果表明各参数对模拟结果都有不同程度的影响。在阿柔草地站, 最大光能利用率的重新标定对结果影响最大, GPP估算结果的提高最为明显; 在关滩森林站利用广义神经网络算法得到的GLASS fPAR代替原始MODIS fPAR产品, 比其他参数的改进效果更明显, GPP的值更接近涡动通量观测值。利用改进的MOD_17模型重新估算了黑河上游2001-2012年间植被GPP, 通过趋势分析得出该研究时段内GPP以9.58 g C·m^-2·a^-1的平均速率呈上升趋势。同时计算了气候因子(温度、降水和饱和水汽压差(VPD))与时间序列GPP的偏相关性, 分析了植被GPP对气候变化的响应情况, 2001-2012年平均温度和VPD与年GPP大部分区域呈正相关, 体现了温度和VPD对植被生长的促进作用; 2001-2012年的降水量与年GPP无明显相关, 且大部分区域呈负相关。     

Greenhouse gas fluxes of typical northern subtropical forest soils: Impacts of land use change and reduced precipitation

Aims It is important to study the effects of land use change and reduced precipitation on greenhouse gas fluxes (CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O) of forest soils. Methods The fluxes of CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O and their responses to environmental factors of primary forest soil, secondary forest soil and artificial forest soil under a reduced precipitation regime were explored using the static chamber and gas chromatography methods during the period from January to December in 2014. Important findings Results indicate that CH₄ uptake of primary forest soil ((-44.43 ± 8.73) μg C·m^-2·h^-1) was significantly higher than that of the secondary forest soil ((-21.64 ± 4.86) μg C·m^-2·h^-1) and the artificial forest soil ((-10.52 ± 2.11) μg C·m^-2·h^-1). CH₄ uptake of the secondary forest soil ((-21.64 ± 4.86) μg C·m^-2·h^-1) was significantly higher than that of the artificial forest ((-10.52 ± 2.11) μg C·m^-2·h^-1). CO₂ emissions of the artificial forest soil ((106.53 ± 19.33) μg C·m^-2·h^-1) were significantly higher than that of the primary forest soil ((49.50 ± 8.16) μg C·m^-2·h^-1) and the secondary forest soil ((63.50 ± 5.35) μg C·m^-2·h^-1) (p < 0.01). N₂O emissions of the secondary forest soil ((1.91 ± 1.22) μg N·m^-2·h^-1) were higher than that of the primary forest soil ((1.40 ± 0.28) μg N·m^-2·h^-1) and the artificial forest soil ((1.01 ± 0.86) μg N·m^-2·h^-1). Reduced precipitation (-50%) had a significant inhibitory effect on CH₄ uptake of the artificial forest soil, while it enhanced CO₂ emissions of the primary forest soil and the secondary forest soil. Reduced precipitation had a significant inhibitory effect on CO₂ emissions of the artificial forest soil and N₂O emissions of the secondary forest (p < 0.01). Reduced precipitation promotes N₂O emissions of the primary forest soil and the artificial forest soil. CH₄ uptake of the primary forest and the secondary forest soil increased significantly with the increase of soil temperature under natural and reduced precipitation. CO₂ and N₂O emission fluxes of the primary forest soil, secondary forest soil and artificial forest soil were positively correlated with soil temperature (p < 0.05). Soil moisture inhibited CH₄ uptake of the secondary forest soil and the artificial forest soil (p < 0.05). CO₂ emissions of the primary forest soil were significantly positively correlated with soil moisture (p < 0.05). N₂O emissions of primary forest soil and secondary forest soil were significantly correlated with the nitrate nitrogen content (p < 0.05). It was implied that reduced precipitation and land use change would have significant effects on greenhouse gas emissions of subtropical forest soils.     

北亚热带地带性森林土壤温室气体通量对土地利用方式改变和降水减少的响应

弄清土地利用和降水变化对林地土壤主要温室气体(CO₂、CH₄和N₂O)排放通量变化的影响, 是准确评估森林土壤温室气体排放能力的重要基础。该研究以常绿落叶阔叶混交林原始林、桦木(Betula luminifera)次生林和马尾松(Pinus massoniana)人工林为对象, 采用静态箱-气相色谱法研究了3种土地利用方式(常绿落叶阔叶混交林原始林、桦木次生林和马尾松人工林)和降水减少处理状况下森林土壤CO₂、CH₄和N₂O通量排放特征, 并探讨了其环境驱动机制。研究结果表明: 原始林土壤CH₄吸收通量显著高于次生林和人工林, 次生林CH₄吸收通量显著高于人工林土壤。人工林土壤CO₂排放通量显著高于原始林和次生林土壤。次生林土壤N₂O排放通量高于原始林和人工林, 但三者间差异不显著。降水减半显著抑制了3种不同土地利用方式下林地土壤CH₄吸收通量; 降水减半处理对原始林和次生林土壤CO₂排放通量均具有显著的促进作用, 而对人工林土壤CO₂排放通量具有显著的抑制作用; 降水减半处理促进了原始林和人工林林地土壤N₂O排放而抑制了次生林林地土壤N₂O排放。原始林和次生林林地土壤CH₄吸收通量随土壤温度升高显著增加, CH₄吸收通量与土壤温度均呈显著相关关系; 原始林、次生林和人工林土壤CO₂和N₂O排放通量与土壤温度均呈显著正相关关系; 土壤湿度抑制了次生林和人工林土壤CH₄吸收通量, 其CH₄吸收通量随土壤湿度增加显著减少; 原始林土壤CO₂排放通量与土壤湿度呈显著正相关关系。自然状态下, 原始林土壤N₂O排放通量与土壤湿度呈显著正相关关系, 原始林和次生林土壤N₂O排放通量与硝态氮含量呈显著相关关系。研究结果表明全球气候变化(如降水变化)和土地利用方式的转变将对北亚热带森林林地土壤温室气体排放通量产生显著的影响。     

Application and comparison of remote sensing GPP models with multi-site data in China

Aims Estimation of gross primary productivity (GPP) of vegetation at the global and regional scales is important for understanding the carbon cycle of terrestrial ecosystems. Due to the heterogeneous nature of land surface, measurements at the site level cannot be directly up-scaled to the regional scale. Remote sensing has been widely used as a tool for up-saling GPP by integrating the land surface observations with spatial vegetation patterns. Although there have been many models based on light use efficiency and remote sensing data for simulating terrestrial ecosystem GPP, those models depend much on meteorological data; use of different sources of meteorological datasets often results in divergent outputs, leading to uncertainties in the simulation results. In this study, we examines the feasibility of using two GPP models driven by remote sensing data for estimating regional GPP across different vegetation types. Methods Two GPP models were tested in this study, including the Temperature and Greenness Model (TG) and the Vegetation Index Model (VI), based on remote sensing data and flux data from the China flux network (ChinaFLUX) for different vegatation types for the period 2003-2005. The study sites consist of eight ecological stations located in Xilingol (grassland), Changbaishan (mixed broadleaf-conifer forest), Haibei (shrubland), Yucheng (cropland), Damxung (alpine meadow), Qianyanzhou (evergreen needle-leaved forest), Dinghushan (evergreen broad-leaved forest), and Xishuangbanna (evergreen broad-leaved forest), respectively. Important findings All the remote sensing parameters employed by the TG and VI models had good relationships with the observed GPP, with the values of coefficient of determination, R², exceeding 0.67 for majority of the study sites. However, the root mean square errors (RMSEs) varied greatly among the study sites: the RMSE of TG ranged from 0.29 to 6.40 g·m^-2·d^-1, and that of VI ranged from 0.31 to 7.09 g·m^-2·d^-1, respectively. The photosynthetic conversion coefficients m and a can be up-scaled to a regional scale based on their relationships with the annual average nighttime land surface temperature (LST), with 79% variations in m and 58% of variations in a being explainable in the up-scaling. The correlations between the simulated outputs of both TG and VI and the measured values were mostly high, with the values of correlation coefficient, r, ranging from 0.06 in the TG model and 0.13 in the VI model at the Xishuangbanna site, to 0.94 in the TG model and 0.89 in the VI model at the Haibei site. In general, the TG model performed better than the VI model, especially at sites with high elevation and that are mainly limited by temperature. Both models had potential to be applied at a regional scale in China.     

Relationship between photochemical reflectance index with multi-angle hyper-spectrum and light use efficiency in urban green-land ecosystems

Aims Light-use efficiency (LUE) is one of critical parameters in the terrestrial ecosystem production studies. Accurate determination of LUE is very important for LUE models to simulate gross primary productivity (GPP) at regional and global scales. We used eddy covariance technique measurement and tower-based, multi-angular spectro-radiometer observations in autumn 2012 to explore the relationship between bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) corrected photochemical reflectance index (PRI) and LUE in different phenology and environment conditions in urban green-land ecosystems. Methods Using the eddy covariance technique, we estimated the temporal changes in GPP during the autumn 2012 over Beijing Olympic Forest Park. LUE was calculated as the ratio of GPP to the difference between incoming photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and PAR reflected from the canopy. Daily PRI values were averaged from the BRDF using semi-empirical kernel driven models. The absolute greenness index (2G_RB) was made by webcam at a constant view zenith and view azimuth angle at solar noon. The logistic function was used to fit the time series of the greenness index. The onset of phonological stages was defined as the point when the curvature reached its maximum value. Important findings Webcamera-observed greenness index (2G_RB) showed a decreasing trend. There was a highly significant relationship between 2G_RB and air temperature (R² = 0.60, p < 0.001). This demonstrates that air temperature is the main driving factor to determine the phenology. PRI estimated from multi-angle hyper-spectrum can estimate LUE in urban green-land ecosystems in vigorous photosynthetic period. The correlation was the strongest (R² = 0.70, p < 0.001) in the peak photosynthetic period. PRI relates better to LUE under high temperature (>15 °C) with high vapour pressure deficit (VPD) (>700 Pa) and high PAR (>300 μmol·m^-2·s^-1). The LUE was up-scaled to landscape/regional scales based on these relationships and phenology. It can also be used for the estimation of GPP of urban green-land with high accuracy.     

Modelling the effects of changes in solar radiation on gross primary production in subtropical evergreen needle-leaf plantations

太阳辐射是陆地生态系统碳水循环的能量来源。太阳辐射的变化对植被吸收大气CO₂具有重要影响。该文通过辐射观测数据建立散射辐射比例与晴空指数的关系, 结合生态过程模型(BEPS)和通量观测数据, 模拟分析了太阳辐射变化对千烟洲常绿针叶林总初级生产力(GPP)的影响。研究结果表明: 千烟洲森林生态系统的阴叶对年GPP总量的贡献达67%, 太阳辐射变化对阴叶光合作用的影响决定了冠层GPP的变化; 太阳辐射强度和分布的年际差异导致年GPP对太阳辐射变化的响应不同, 2003、2004和2005年太阳辐射分别变化-5.44%、-1.83%和6.26%, 可使千烟洲生态系统当年GPP总量达到最大值; 在季节上, 太阳辐射的增加会导致5-6月GPP上升, 7-9月GPP下降, 使年GPP变化程度降低; 在天尺度上, 晴空指数在0.43时, 太阳辐射变化对GPP的影响最小。     

Sap flow characteristics and its responses to precipitation in Robinia pseudoacacia and Platycladus orientalis plantations

Aim In the loess hilly region, drought stress frequently occurs during the late spring and early summer as a result of insufficient water supply and asynchronous changes between temperature and precipitation. Our objective was to quantify the characteristics of water-consumption through transpirations and their responses to precipitation in the dominant plantations in this region. Methods Thermal dissipation probe (TDP) was used to measure the sap flow density (F_d) of Robinia pseudoacacia and Platycladus orientalis from April through October in 2009 in Ansai National Ecological Experimental Station. Environmental variables, including meteorological factors and soil water content, were simultaneously measured. Important findings The diurnal variation of F_d exhibited a single-peak curve during the growing season of R. pseudoacacia and P. orientalis. The maximum F_d was three times greater in R. pseudoacacia (0.12068 m³·m^-2·h^-1) than that in P. orientalis (0.03737 m³·m^-2·h^-1). Except in the rapid-growth season (July to August), the F_d of these two species during the post-precipitation period were significantly higher than that during the pre-precipitation period. The F_d of P. orientalis and R. pseudoacacia was well fitted with transpiration (VT), an integrated index calculated from both vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and solar radiation (R_s), using an exponential saturation function. Generally, F_d increased in response to rising VT, while these values tended to be stable when VT reached about 50 kPa (W·m^-2)^1/2. Furthermore, R. pseudoacacia showed more sensitive to precipitation (p < 0.001) than P. orientalis, according to different hydraulic conductance model coefficients (fitting parameter b) between pre- and post-precipitation periods. Therefore, R. pseudoacacia could be considered as a precipitation-sensitive species, while P. orientalisasa precipitation-insensitive species. Through analyzing the different responses of plantation species to precipitation in the loess hilly region, this study provides a scientific basis for the local plantation management from the aspect of tree water use during ecological restoration.     

Characteristics and partitioning of ozone dry deposition measured by eddy-covariance technology in a winter wheat field

Aims Anthropogenic pollutants cause an increase in ground-level ozone concentration, which is a known threat to plant growth and yield and has been extensively observed worldwide. Since ozone is only slightly soluble in water, it is deposited mainly through dry deposition in terrestrial ecosystem. The object of this study was to analyze the characteristics of ozone dry deposition and to estimate the contribution of stomatal and non-stomatal ozone deposition pathways to total ozone deposition in a winter wheat field.Methods The research site was a winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) field located in Yongfeng experimental station of Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology. The data used in this study were collected from March 16, 2016 to May 30, 2016. We observed ozone dry deposition with an eddy-covariance system. This system mainly included a 3D sonic anemometer, an open-path infrared absorption spectrometer, a fast-response ozone chemiluminescent analyzer and a slow-response ozone monitor. We simultaneously measured meteorological data including solar radiation (SR), air temperature (T), air relativity humidity (RH), wind speed, net radiation, and rainfall. All raw data were recorded with data-logger and averaged every 30 min.Important findings Half hourly means of ozone concentrations (C_O3), ozone flux (F_O3) and ozone dry deposition velocity (V_d) in the winter wheat field were 32.9 nL·L^-1, -5.09 nmol·m^-2·s^-1, 0.39 cm·s^-1, and the ranges of them were 16-58 nL·L^-1, -2.9- -11.7 nmol·m^-2·s^-1, 0.17-0.63 cm·s^-1, respectively. F_O3 and C_O3/V_d were found to be mismatched with phase peaks occurring at different time intervals. The ecosystem was more effective on ozone dry deposition, under conditions of moderate to high SR (SR ≥ 400 W·m^-2), moderate T and humility (T = 18 °C and RH > 40%). The relationship between V_dmax and SR was this function (y = 1.06 -exp (-0.0094 - x)). V_dmax increased with SR When SR < 400 W·m^-2, and V_dmax reached its maximum when SR =400 W·m^-2. V_dmax maintained its maximum when SR ≥ 400 W·m^-2. The relationship between V_dmax and T was “bell” curve (y = 1.06 - (x - 18)²/169). V_dmax reached its maximum when T = 18 °C. V_dmax decreased with RH when RH < 40 % (y = 0.030x - 0.106). The variation of V_d might uncertainty when RH was high. There was a liner positive relationship between friction velocity (u*) and V_d, but this relationship was not significant. The mean day-to-day and daytime contributions of stomatal and non-stomatal ozone deposition pathway to total ozone deposition were 32%, 68% and 42%, 58%, respectively, during the whole experimental period.     

Responses of soil respiration with biocrust cover to water and temperature in the southeastern edge of Tengger Desert,Northwest China

Aims Soil respiration of the lands covered by biocrusts is an important component in the carbon cycle of arid, semi-arid and dry-subhumid ecosystems (drylands hereafter), and one of the key processes in the carbon cycle of drylands. However, the responses of the rate of soil respiration with biocrusts to water and temperature are uncertain in the investigations of the effects of experimental warming and precipitation patterns on CO₂ fluxes in biocrust dominated ecosystems. The objectives of this study were to investigate the relationships of carbon release from the biocrust-soil systems with water and temperature in drylands. Methods Intact soil columns with two types of biocrusts, including moss and algae-lichen crusts, were collected in a natural vegetation area in the southeastern fringe of the Tengger Desert. Open top chambers were used to simulate climate warming, and the soil respiration rate was measured under warming and non-warming treatments using an automated soil respiration system (LI-8150). Important findings Over the whole observational period (from April 2016 to July 2016), soil respiration rates varied from -0.16 to 4.69 μmol·m^-2·s^-1 for the moss crust-covered soils and from -0.21 to 5.72 μmol·m^-2·s^-1 for the algae-lichen crust-covered soils, respectively, under different rainfall events (the precipitations between 0.3-30.0 mm). The mean soil respiration rate of the moss crust-covered soils is 1.09 μmol·m^-2·s^-1, which is higher than that of the algae-lichen crust-covered soils of 0.94 μmol·m^-2·s^-1. The soil respiration rate of the two types of biocrust-covered soils showed different dynamics and spatial heterogeneities with rainfall events, and were positively correlated with precipitation. The mean soil respiration rate of the biocrust-covered soils without warming was 1.24 μmol·m^-2·s^-1, significantly higher than that with warming treatments of 0.79 μmol·m^-2·s^-1 (p < 0.05). By increasing the evaporation of soil moisture, the simulated warming impeded soil respiration. In most cases, soil temperature and soil respiration rate displayed a similar single-peak curve during the diel cycle. Our results show an approximately two hours’ lag between soil temperature at 5 cm depth and the soil respiration rate of the biocrust-covered soils during the diel cycle.     

Effects of grazing intensity on windblown sediment mass flux and particle size distribution in the desert steppe of Nei Mongol,China

Aims Grazing activities degrade soil aggregates, reduce vegetation coverage and affect the amount of deposited material, and make the land more vulnerable to wind erosion. Although livestock increase was considered as the main issue leading to the degradation, only very few studies have quantitatively investigated the relationship between grazing and soil erosion. The relationship between different stocking rates and sediment flux, and sediment soil particle was studied to reveal the mechanism of different grazing intensities on soil erosion process, to provide basic parameters for grazing optimization in the Stipa breviflora desert steppe. Methods In the Stipa breviflora desert steppe research area, BSNE collecting sand boxes were set in the randomly distributed paddock experiment sites for 11 year with different grazing intensities (0.15、0.30、0.45、0 sheep·hm^-2·month^-1, corresponding to light grazing LG, moderate grazing MG, heavy grazing HG and control CK, respectively). The quantitative relationship between grazing intensity and sediment flux, and the characteristics of sediment soil particle were conducted in four sampling periods through 2 years (April 2013 to April 2015).Important findings (1) Grazing intensity had a significant effect on the sediment flux (p< 0.05), and the sediment flux increased with the increase of grazing intensity. The response of sediment flux to grazing intensity was variable with season. The daily average sediment flux (13.12 g·m^-1·d^-1) during the period of April to October was smaller than that from October to April (18.74 g·m^-1·d^-1). The sediment flux difference of different grazing intensities was greater from April to October, with the 5 times daily average sand flux in the heavy grazing paddock that in the control. The average sediment flux difference of different grazing intensities was small from October to April. (2) The relationship between the natural logarithm of sediment flux at different height and the vertical height had a better binomial fitting from April to October, and there was no obvious regular pattern about flux vertical distribution from October to April, and the vertical flux difference of grazing intensities was mainly expressed in 0-50 cm layer. (3) Sand sediment particle ≤250 μm accounted for more than 85% of the total sediment, the sand sediment particle of ≤50 μm) size was significantly enriched, and the enrichment ratio increased with the increase of vertical height. The enrichment ratio of 125-250 μm particle and 50-125 μm particle decreased with the increase of vertical height, and the enrichment ratio of 125-250 μm particle was smaller than that of 50-125 μm particle (p< 0.05). Therefore grazing intensity had different influence on the sand flux in Stipa breviflora desert steppe, the greater the grazing intensity, the heavier the wind erosion was, and the effect of grazing intensity on grassland was enhanced by wind erosion.     

Responses of growth and litterfall production to nitrogen addition treatments from common shrublands in Mt. Dongling,Beijing, China

Aims The shrublands of northern China have poor soil and nitrogen (N) deposition has greatly increased the local soil available N for decades. Shrub growth is one of important components of C sequestration in shrublands and litterfall acts as a vital link between plants and soil. Both are key factors in nutrient and energy cycling of terrestrial ecosystems, which greatly affected by nitrogen (N) addition (adding N fertilizer to the surface soil directly). However, the effects and significance of N addition on C sequestration and litterfall in shrublands remain unclear. Thus, a study was designed to investigate how N deposition and related treatments affected shrublands growth related to C sequestration and litterfall production of Vitex negundo var. heterophylla and Spiraea salicifolia in Mt. Dongling region of China.
Methods A N enrichment experiment has been conducted for V. negundo var. heterophylla and S. salicifolia shrublands in Mt. Dongling, Beijing, including four N addition treatment levels (control (N₀, 0 kg N·hm^-2·a^-1), low N (N₁, 20 kg N·hm^-2·a^-1), medium N (N₂, 50 kg N·hm^-2·a^-1) and high N (N₃, 100 kg N·hm^-2·a^-1)). Basal diameter and plant height of shrub were measured from 2012-2013 within all treatments, and allometric models for different species of shrub’s live branch, leaf and root biomass were developed based on independent variables of basal diameter and plant height, which will be used to calculate biomass increment of shrub layer. Litterfall (litterfall sometimes is named litter, referring to the collective name for all organic matter produced by the aboveground part of plants and returned to the surface, and mainly includes leaves, bark, dead twigs, flowers and fruits.) also was investigated from 2012-2013 within all treatments.
Important findings The results showed 1) mean basal diameter of shrubs in the V. negundo var. heterophylla and S. salicifolia shrublands were increased by 1.69%, 2.78%, 2.51%, 1.80% and 1.38%, 1.37%, 1.59%, 2.05% every year; 2) The height growth rate (the shrub height relative growth rate is defined with the percentage increase of plant height) of shrubs in the V. negundo var. heterophylla and S. salicifolia shrublands were 8.36%, 8.48%, 9.49%, 9.83% and 2.12%, 2.86%, 2.36%, 2.52% every year, respectively. Thee results indicated that N deposition stimulated growth of shrub layer both in V. negundo var. heterophylla and S. salicifolia shrublands, but did not reach statistical significance among all nitrogen treatments. The above-ground biomass increment of shrub layer in the V. negundo var. heterophylla and S. salicifolia shrublands were 0.19, 0.23, 0.14, 0.15 and 0.027, 0.025, 0.032, 0.041 t C·hm^-2·a^-1 respectively, which demonstrated that short-term N addition had no significant effects on the accumulation of C storage of the two shrublands. The litter production of the V. negundo var. heterophylla and S. salicifolia communities in 2013 were 135.7 and 129.6 g·m^-2 under natural conditions, respectively. Nitrogen addition promoted annual production of total litterfall and different components of litterfall to a certain extent, but did not reach statistical significance among all nitrogen treatments. Above results indicated that short-term fertilization, together with extremely low soil moisture content and other related factors, lead to inefficient use of soil available nitrogen and slow response of shrublands to N addition treatments.     

Effects of nitrogen addition on soil respiration of Rhododendron simsii shrubland in the subtropical mountainous areas of China

Aims As the second largest C flux between the atmosphere and terrestrial ecosystems, soil respiration plays a vital role in regulating atmosphere CO₂ concentration. Therefore, understanding the response of soil respiration to the increasing nitrogen deposition is urgently needed for prediction of future climate change. However, it is still unclear how nitrogen deposition influences soil respiration of shrubland in subtropical China. Our objectives were to explore the effects of different levels of nitrogen fertilization on soil respiration, root biomass increment, and litter biomass, and to analyze the relationships between soil respiration and soil temperature and moisture.
Methods From January 2013 to September 2014, we conducted a short-term simulated nitrogen deposition experiment in the Rhododendron simsii shrubland of Dawei Mountain, located in Hunan Province, southern China. Four levels of nitrogen addition treatments (each level with three replicates) were established: control (CK, no nitrogen addition), low nitrogen addition (LN, 2 g·m^-2·a^-1), medium nitrogen addition (MN, 5 g·m^-2·a^-1) and high nitrogen addition (HN, 10 g·m^-2·a^-1). Soil respiration was measured by LI-8100 soil CO₂ efflux system. At the same time, we measured root biomass increment and litter biomass in each plot.
Important findings Soil respiration exhibited a strong seasonal pattern, with the highest rates found in summer and the lowest rates in winter. Annual accumulative soil respiration rate in the CK, LN, MN and HN was (2.37 ± 0.39), (2.79 ± 0.42), (2.26 ± 0.38) and (2.30 ± 0.36) kg CO₂·m^-2, respectively. Annual mean soil respiration rate in the CK, LN, MN and HN was (1.71 ± 0.28), (2.01 ± 0.30), (1.63 ± 0.27) and (1.66 ± 0.26) μmol CO₂·m^-2·s^-1, respectively, and it was 17.25% higher in the LN treatment compared with CK (p = 0.06). The root biomass increment was increased by LN, MN, and HN treatments by 18.36%, 36.49% and 61.63%, respectively, compared to CK. The litter biomass was increased by LN, MN, and HN treatments by 35.87%, 22.17% and 15.35%, respectively, compared with CK. Soil respiration exhibited a significant exponential relationship with soil temperature (p < 0.01, R² is 0.77 to 0.82) and a significant linear relationship with soil moisture at the depth of 5 cm (p < 0.05, R² is 0.10 to 0.15). The temperature sensitivity (Q₁₀) value of CK, LN, MN and HN plots was 3.96, 3.60, 3.71 and 3.51, respectively. These results suggested that nitrogen addition promoted plant growth and decreased the temperature sensitivity of soil respiration. The increase of root biomass under N addition may be an important reason for the change of soil respiration in the study area.     

Carbon density characteristics of sparse Ulmus pumila forest and Populus simonii plantation in Onqin Daga Sandy Land and their relationships with stand age

Aims
Sparse Ulmus pumila forest is an intrazonal vegetation in Onqin Daga Sandy Land, while Populus simonii has been widely planted for windbreak and sand dune stabilization in the same region. Our objective was to compare the differences in carbon (C) density of these two forests and their relationships with stand age.
Methods
We measured the C content of tree organs (leaf, twig, stem, and root), herb layers (above ground vegetation and below ground root) and soil layers (up to 100 cm) in sparse Ulmus pumila forests and Populus simonii plantations of different stand ages, and then computed C density and their proportions in total ecosystem carbon density. In addition, we illustrated the variation in carbon density-stand age relationship for tree layer, soil layer and whole ecosystem. We finally estimated the C sequestration rates for these two forests by the space-for-time substitution approach.
Important findings
The average C contents of tree layer and soil layer for sparse Ulmus pumila forests were lower than those for Populus simonii plantations. The total C density of sparse Ulmus pumila forests was half of that of Populus simonii plantations. The carbon density of soil and tree layers accounted for more than 98% of ecosystem C density in the two forests. Irrespective of forest type, the C density ratios of soil to vegetation decreased with stand age. This ratio was 1.66 for sparse Ulmus pumila forests and 1.87 for Populus simonii plantations when they were over-matured. The C density of tree layer, soil layer, and total ecosystem in both forests increased along forest development. There were significantly positive correlations between tree layer’s C density and stand age in both forests and between the total ecosystem C density of sparse Ulmus pumila forests and stand age. The C sequestration rate of tree layer was 5-fold higher in Populus simonii plantation than in sparse Ulmus pumila forest. The ecosystem-level C sequestration rate was 0.81 Mg C·hm^-2·a^-1 for sparse Ulmus pumila forest and 5.35 Mg C·hm^-2·a^-1 for Populus simonii plantation. These findings have implications for C stock estimation of sandy land forest ecosystems and policy-making of ecological restoration and C sink enhancement in the studied area.     

Characteristics of methane emission fluxes in the Zoigê Plateau wetland on microtopography

AimsThe Zoigê Plateau, as a very important wetland distribution region of China, was the major methane (CH₄) emission center of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. The objective of this study is to study the effects of microtopographic changes on CH₄ emission fluxes from five plots across three marshes in the littoral zone of the Zoigê Plateau wetland.
Methods CH₄ emission fluxes were measured in five plots across three marshes in Zoigê Plateau wetland using the closed chamber method and Fast Greenhouse Gas Analyzer from May to October in 2014.
Important findings During the growing season, mean CH₄ emission fluxes from the permanently flooded hollow (P-hollow) and hummock (P-hummock) in the Zoigê Plateau wetland were 68.48 and 40.32 mg·m^-2·h^-1, while mean CH₄ emission fluxes from the seasonally flooded hollow (S-hollow) and hummock (S-hummock) were 2.38 and 0.63 mg·m^-2·h^-1. CH₄ emission fluxes from non-flooded lawn was 3.68 mg·m^-2·h^-1. Mean CH₄ emission fluxes from five plots across three sites was 23.10 mg·m^-2·h^-1, with a standard deviation of 30.28 mg·m^-2·h^-1 and the coefficient of variation was 131%. We also found that there was a significant and positive correlation between mean CH₄ emission fluxes and mean water table depth in the five plots across three sites (R² = 0.919, p < 0.01), indicating that water table depth was controlling the spatial variability of CH₄ emission fluxes from the Zoigê Plateau wetland on microtopography. CH₄ emission fluxes in the P-hollow, P-hummock, and S-hummock showed an obvious seasonal pattern, which was not observed in the lawn and S-hollow. However, CH₄ emission peaks were observed in all the plots during summer and/or autumn, which could be closely related to the water table depth, soil temperature, and the magnitude of litter mass. In addition, we found that the CH₄ emission flux in the P-hollow was much higher than the other four plots in the Zoigê Plateau wetland, suggesting that CH₄ in the P-hollow could be often transported to the surface by ebullition and CH₄ emission from the Zoigê Plateau wetland may be under estimated in the past.     

Effects of nitrogen addition on photosynthetic characteristics of Leymus chinensis in the temperate grassland of Nei Mongol,China

Aims The increased atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition due to human activity and climate change greatly causes grassland ecosystems shifting from being naturally N-limited to N-eutrophic or N-saturated, and further affecting the growth of grass species. The aims of this study are: 1) to evaluate the effects of different N addition levels on morphology and photosynthetic characteristics of Leymus chinensis; 2) to determine the critical N level to facilitate L. chinensis growth.
Methods We conducted a different N addition levels experiment in dominant species in the temperate steppe of Nei Mongol. The aboveground biomass, morphological and leaf physiological traits, pigment contents, chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters and biochemical parameters of L. chinensis were investigated.
Important findings Our results showed that aboveground biomass first increased and then decreased with the increased N, having the highest values at the 10 g N·m^-2·a^?1 treatment, but the 25 g N·m^-2·a^?1 still significantly increased the aboveground biomass relative to 0 g N·m^-2·a^?1. Leymus chinensis accommodate low N situation through allocating less N to carboxylation system and decreasing leaf mass per area (LMA) in order to get more light energy. Moderate N addition captured more light energy through increasing total chlorophyll (Chl) contents and decreasing the ratio of Chl a/b. Moderate N addition increased LMA, carboxylation efficiency, maximum carboxylation rate (V_cmax), maximum electron transport rate (J_max) and decreased J_max/V_cmax, thus allocating more N to carboxylation system to enhance carboxylation capability. Moreover, the photochemical activity of PSII was increased through higher effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry, electron transport rate and photochemical quenching coefficient. Excessive N addition had negative effects on physiological variables of L. chinensis due to lower carboxylation capability and photochemical activity of PSII, further leading to decreased net photosynthetic rate, whereas increased non-photochemical quenching coefficient and carotenoids played the role in the dissipation of excess excitation energy. Overall, moderate N addition facilitated the photosynthetic characteristics of dominant species, but excessive N addition inhibited photosynthetic characteristics. The most appropriate N addition for the growth of L. chinensis was 5-10 g N·m^-2·a^?1 in the temperate steppe of Nei Mongol, China.     

黄土丘陵区刺槐和侧柏人工林树干液流特征及其对降水的响应

水分供应不足及水热不同步常导致黄土丘陵地区在春末和夏初出现季节性干旱。为阐明该地区主要造林树种的蒸腾耗水特征及其对降水的响应, 使用热扩散式树干茎流计(TDP)于2009年4-10月对黄土丘陵区安塞国家生态试验站刺槐(Robinia pseudoacacia)和侧柏(Platycladus orientalis)的树干液流密度(F_d)进行连续观测, 并同步测定了气象、土壤水分等环境因子。结果表明: 刺槐和侧柏在生长季内不同生长时期的F_d均表现为单峰型日变化特征, 刺槐最高液流峰值为0.12068 m³·m^-2·h^-1, 是侧柏最高液流值(0.03737 m³·m^-2·h^-1)的3.23倍。除生长旺盛季(7-8月)外, 刺槐和侧柏降水后的F_d明显高于降水前。同时反映水汽压差(VPD)和太阳辐射(R_s)的蒸腾变量(VT)能够很好地模拟F_d, 且两者呈显著的指数正相关关系, 随VT的增加F_d逐渐增大, VT增加到50 kPa (W·m^-2)^1/2左右时, F_d的变化趋于稳定; 通过对降水前后两个树种水力导度(拟合参数b值)分析, 相对于侧柏, 刺槐更易受降水的影响(p < 0.001)。因此, 可认为刺槐是降水敏感型植物, 而侧柏是降水不敏感型植物。该研究通过分析黄土丘陵区人工林树种对降水的差异性响应, 从树木水分利用方面能够为当地生态恢复过程中人工林的管理提供科学依据。     

城市绿地生态系统多角度高光谱光化学反射植被指数与光能利用率的关系

光能利用率(LUE)是陆地生态系统总初级生产力(GPP)估算的一个重要参数。LUE的准确估算对于在区域甚至全球尺度上使用LUE模型估算GPP是非常重要的。一个基于通量塔的观测视场与通量观测足迹在时空上相匹配的自动多角度遥感平台为LUE在站点尺度上的准确估算提供了一个好方法。该文基于通量塔涡度相关(EC)和自动多角度高光谱连续观测获取的连续30 min的数据, 在站点空间尺度和0.5 h与日时间尺度上, 探讨了城市绿地生态系统秋季光化学反射植被指数(PRI)与LUE之间的关系。研究发现, 反映植被叶面积和色素变化的植被绿度指数在秋季呈现逐渐下降的趋势, 表征了植被冠层的状态与结构变化, 叶片从绿色逐渐变黄凋落, 植被冠层叶片的叶绿素逐渐减少, 裸露的枝干增多; 用空气温度和代表物候过程的绝对绿度指数(2G_RB)做线性回归分析, 得到回归系数(R²)为0.60 (p < 0.001)。说明在城市绿地生态系统中, 空气温度是决定植被物候过程的主要驱动因素, 随着植被物候变化, 叶片的凋落导致的裸露土壤的增多以及随时间变化的色素含量和其比例的变化将影响PRI和LUE的关系; 采用植被生长模型(logistic曲线), 拟合时间与2G_RB, 得到曲率变化最快的点, 确定为秋季植被落叶期的初日, 即第290天。在0.5 h和日时间尺度上, PRI都可以捕捉LUE的变化。但是日尺度上不同物候期, PRI和LUE的关系发生了急剧的变化。在秋季植被正常生长期, PRI和LUE之间的关系最密切(R² = 0.70, p < 0.001)。当土壤温度大于15 ℃、光合有效辐射(PAR)大于300 μmol·m^-2·s^-1以及饱和水汽压差(VPD)大于700 Pa的情况下, PRI能够更好地预测LUE。基于通 量塔尺度上时空尺度相匹配, 利用半经验的核驱动二向反射分布函数模型得到的高光谱PRI和通量观测得到的LUE在不同环境条件下的关系以及考虑到在植被的不同物候期对PRI和LUE的关系的优化, 将会更加准确地估算城市绿地生态系统的LUE。     

Carbon cycle of larch plantation based on CO2FIX model

Aims
Plantations play important roles in modifying regional carbon budget and maintaining regional carbon balance. In this study, we assessed larch plantation (Larix gmelinii var. principis-rupprechtii) carbon dynamics in Weichang County from a perspective of the forest biomass-soil-wood-products chain. Our objectives were to elucidate the carbon sink capacity of larch plantation and the influences of biomass, soil and wood product pools on carbon balance.
Methods
CO2FIX model was used to evaluate the carbon storage and flow of larch plantation over a time span of 120 years. Input data for model were derived from practical investigations and published papers. We validated the simulated results and found that this model was suitable in the region and the simulated results were reliable.
Important findings
(1) Soil was the largest carbon pool for larch plantation and the wood product pool had the smallest carbon storage. Meanwhile, carbon storage in wood products gradually increased with time. (2) In a rotation of 50 years from secondary poplar-birch forest to larch plantation, 250 t C·hm^-2 was sequestrated by the larch plantation. 70% of the carbon was transferred into soil in the form of litter and logging slash and the other 30% was transferred into wood products. (3) Larch plantation was a carbon sink during most of its growing period and turned to temporary carbon source when it was harvested. Larch plantation could sequestrate about 0.3 t C·hm^-2·a^-1 in the long term. Our results indicated the importance of wood product carbon pool in carbon dynamics of plantation, which facilitated our understanding in the carbon dynamics and capacity of plantation.     

Effects of nitrogen enrichment on root exudative carbon inputs in Sibiraea angustata shrubbery at the eastern fringe of Qinghai-Xizang Plateau

Aims Understanding the responses of root exudative carbon (C) to increasing nitrogen deposition is important for predicting carbon cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. However, fewer studies have investigated the dynamics of root exudation in shrubbery ecosystems compared to forests and grassland ecosystems. This objective of this study was to determine the effects of nitrogen fertilization on the rate and C flux of root exudates.Methods Three levels of nitrogen addition treatments were applied to a Sibiraea angustata shrubbery ecosystem situated at the eastern fringe of Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, including N₀ (without nitrogen application), N₅ (nitrogen addition rate of 5 g·m^-2·a^-1), and N₁₀ (nitrogen addition rate of 10 g·m^-2·a^-1), respectively, in 5 m ´ 5 m plots. Root exudates were collected in June, August and October of 2015, using a modified culture-based cuvette system. Root biomass in each plot was measured with root core method.Important findings The rates of root exudates on biomass, length, and surface area basis all displayed apparent seasonal variations during the experimental period, with the magnitude ranked in the order of: August > June > October, consistent with changes in soil temperature at 5 cm depth. With increases in the nitrogen addition rate, the rate of root exudates on biomass, length, and area basis all trended lower. Compared with the control (N₀), the N₅ and N₁₀ treatments significantly reduced fine root biomass in the Sibiraea angustata shrubbery, by 23.36% and 33.84%, respectively. The decreasing root exudation and fine root biomass in response to nitrogen addition significantly decreased C flux of root exudates. Our results provide additional evidences toward a robust theoretical foundation for better understanding soil C-nutrient cycling process mediated by root exudation inputs in Alpine shrubbery ecosystems under various environmental changes.     

Effects of nitrogen addition on soil respiration in shrublands in Mt. Dongling,Beijing, China

Aims Soil respiration from terrestrial ecosystems is an important component of terrestrial carbon budgets. Compared to forests, natural or semi-natural shrublands are mostly distributed in nutrient-poor sites, and usually considered to be relatively vulnerable to environmental changes. Increased nitrogen (N) input to ecosystems may remarkably influence soil respiration in shrublands. So far the effects of N deposition on shrubland soil respiration are poorly understood. The aim of this study is to investigate the soil respiration of Vitex negundo var. heterophylla and Spiraea salicifolia shrublands and their response to N deposition. Methods We carried out a N enrichment experiment in V. negundo var. heterophylla and S. salicifolia shrublands in Mt. Dongling, Beijing, with four N addition levels (N₀, control, 0; N₁, low N, 20 kg N·hm^-2·a^-1; N₂, medium N, 50 kg N·hm^-2·a^-1 and N₃, high N, 100 kg N·hm^-2·a^-1). Respiration was measured from 2012-2013 within all treatments.Important findings Under natural conditions, annual total and heterotrophic respiration were 5.91 and 4.23, 5.76 and 3.53 t C·hm^-2·a^-1 for the V. negundo var. heterophylla and S. salicifolia shrublands, respectively and both were not affected by short-term N addition. In both shrubland types, soil respiration rate exhibited significant exponential relationships with soil temperature. Temperature sensitivity (Q₁₀) of total soil respiration in V. negundo var. heterophylla and S. salicifolia shrublands ranged from 1.44 to 1.58 and 1.43 to 1.98, and Q₁₀ of heterotrophic soil respiration ranged from 1.38 to 2.11 and 1.49 to 1.88, respectively. Short-term N addition decreased only autotrophic respiration rate during the growing season, but had no significant effects on total and heterotrophic soil respiration in V. negundo var. heterophylla shrubland. In contrast, N addition enhanced the heterotrophic soil respiration rate and did not influence autotrophic and total soil respiration in S. salicifolia shrubland.