三江源地区人工草地的生态系统CO2净交换、总初级生产力及其影响因子

为了揭示三江源区垂穗披碱草(Elymus nutans)人工草地生态系统(100°26′-100°41′ E, 34°17′-34°25′ N, 海拔3 980 m)的净生态系统CO₂交换(NEE), 该研究利用2006年涡度相关系统观测的数据分析了该人工草地的NEE, 总初级生产力(GPP)、生态系统呼吸(R_eco)以及R_eco/GPP的变化特征及其影响因子。CO₂日最大吸收值为6.56 g CO₂·m^-2·d^-1, 最大排放值为4.87 g CO₂·m^-2·d^-1。GPP年总量为1 761 g CO₂·m^-2, 其中约90%以上被生态系统呼吸所消耗, CO₂的年吸收量为111 g CO₂·m^-2。5月的R_eco/GPP略高于生长季的其他月份, 为90%; 6月R_eco/GPP比值最低, 为79%。生态系统的呼吸商(Q₁₀)为4.81, 显著高于其他生态系统。该研究表明: 生长季的NEE主要受光量子通量密度(PPFD)、温度和饱和水汽压差(VPD)的影响, 生态系统呼吸则主要受土壤温度的控制。     

开垦对黄河三角洲湿地净生态系统CO2交换的影响

近年来, 由于对湿地的不合理利用, 自然湿地被大面积地垦殖为农田, 导致湿地生态系统碳循环的模式发生改变, 从而影响了湿地生态系统碳汇功能。该研究通过涡度相关法, 对山东省东营市黄河三角洲芦苇(Phragmites australis)湿地和开垦多年的棉花(Gossypium spp.)农田的净生态系统CO₂交换(NEE)进行了对比观测, 以探讨该地区典型生态系统NEE的变化规律及其影响因子, 揭示开垦对芦苇湿地NEE和碳汇功能的影响。结果表明: 在生长季, 湿地和农田生态系统NEE的日平均值各月均呈明显的“U”型变化曲线, 非生长季NEE的变幅很小。生长季湿地生态系统日最大净吸收值和释放值分别为16.04 g CO₂·m^-2·d^-1(8月17日)和14.95 g CO₂·m^-2·d^-1(8月9日); 农田生态系统日最大净吸收值和释放值分别为18.99 g CO₂·m^-2·d^-1 (8月22日)和12.23 g CO₂·m^-2·d^-1 (7月29日)。生长季白天两个生态系统NEE与光合有效辐射(PAR)之间呈直角双曲线关系; 非生长季NEE主要受土壤温度(T_s)的影响; 生态系统生长季夜间NEE受T_s和土壤含水量(SWC)的共同影响; 湿地和农田的生态系统呼吸熵(Q₁₀)分别为2.30和3.78。2011年生长季, 黄河三角洲湿地和农田生态系统均表现为CO₂的汇, 总净固碳量分别为780.95和647.35 g CO₂·m^-2, 开垦降低了湿地的碳吸收能力; 而在2011年非生长季, 黄河三角洲湿地和农田生态系统均表现为CO₂的源, CO₂总释放量分别为181.90和111.55 g CO₂·m^-2。全年湿地和农田生态系统总净固碳量分别为599.05和535.80 g CO₂·m^-2。     

北京松山天然落叶阔叶林生态系统净碳交换特征及其影响因子

森林生态系统在陆地碳循环过程中发挥着重要作用,关于温带落叶阔叶林生态系统碳平衡过程影响机制的讨论尚未统一。本研究于2019年对北京松山典型落叶阔叶林生态系统的净碳交换量(NEE)及空气温度(T_a)、土壤温度(T_s)、光合有效辐射(PAR)、饱和水气压差(VPD)、土壤含水量(SWC)、降雨量(P)等环境因子进行原位连续监测,分析松山落叶阔叶林生态系统净碳交换特征及其对环境因子的响应。结果表明: 在日尺度上,NEE生长季(5—10月)各月平均日变化均呈“U”字形变化,日间为碳汇,夜间为碳源。其他月份NEE均为正值,变化平缓,表现为碳源。在季节尺度上,NEE呈单峰曲线变化规律,全年NEE为-111 g C·m^-2·a^-1,生态系统呼吸总量(R_e)为555 g C·m^-2·a^-1,总生态系统生产力(GEP)为666 g C·m^-2·a^-1。碳吸收与释放量分别在6月与11月达到最大值。PAR是影响日间净碳交换量(NEE_d)的主导因子,二者关系符合Michaelis-Menten模型,VPD是间接影响NEE_d的主导因子,最适宜日间净碳交换的VPD范围为1～1.5 kPa。土壤温度是影响夜间净碳交换量(NEE_n)的主导因子,SWC是NEE_n的限制因子,SWC过高或过低均会对NEE_n产生抑制,最适值为0.28 m³·m^-3。     

温度和水分对科尔沁草甸湿地净生态系统碳交换量的影响

基于涡度相关和波文比气象土壤监测系统,研究了2016年科尔沁草甸湿地生态系统生长季5—9月CO₂通量的动态变化特征,分析了温度、水分等环境因子与其的响应关系.结果表明:生长季累计净生态系统碳交换量(NEE)为-766.18 g CO₂·m^-2,总初级生产力(GPP)和生态系统呼吸量(R_e)分别为3379.89和2613.71 g CO₂·m^-2,R_e/GPP为77.3%,表现为明显的碳汇.NEE各月平均日变化呈单峰“U”型曲线,其中5—7月和8月中旬表现为吸收CO₂,8月后半月和9月表现为释放CO₂.日间NEE与光合有效辐射(PAR)呈显著的直角双曲线关系,同时受饱和水汽压差(VPD)、土壤含水量(SWC)和气温(T_a)等环境要素调控.回归关系表明,日间NEE达到最大时,VPD和SWC值分别为1.75 kPa和35.5%,而NEE随T_a增加逐渐增大,当T_a达到最大时,并未对NEE产生抑制作用;夜间NEE随土壤温度(T_s)呈指数趋势上升.在整个生长季,生态系统呼吸的温度敏感性指数(Q₁₀)为2.4,且SWC越高,Q₁₀越小,夜间NEE受T_s和SWC共同调控.     

CO2 flux dynamics and its limiting factors in the alpine shrub-meadow and steppe-meadow on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau

高寒灌丛草甸和草甸均是青藏高原广泛分布的植被类型, 在生态系统碳通量和区域碳循环中具有极其重要的作用。然而迄今为止, 对其碳通量动态的时空变异还缺乏比较分析, 对碳通量的季节和年际变异的主导影响因子认识还不够清晰, 不利于深入理解生态系统碳通量格局及其形成机制。该研究选取位于青藏高原东部海北站高寒灌丛草甸和高原腹地当雄站高寒草原化草甸年降水量相近的5年(2004-2008年)的涡度相关CO₂通量连续观测数据, 对生态系统净初级生产力(NEP)及其组分, 包括总初级生产力(GPP)和生态系统呼吸的季节、年际动态及其影响因子进行了对比分析。结果表明: 灌丛草甸的CO₂通量无论是季节还是年际累积量均高于草原化草甸, 并且连续5年表现为“碳汇”, 平均每年NEP为70 g C·m ^-2·a ^-1, 高寒草原化草甸平均每年NEP为-5 g C·m ^-2·a ^-1, 几乎处于碳平衡状态, 但其源/汇动态极不稳定, 在2006年-88 g C·m ^-2·a ^-1的“碳源”至2008年54 g C·m ^-2·a ^-1的“碳汇”之间转换, 具有较大的变异性。这两种高寒生态系统源/汇动态的差异主要源于归一化植被指数(NDVI)的差异, 因为NDVI无论在年际水平还是季节水平都是NEP最直接的影响因子; 其次, 灌丛草甸还具有较高的碳利用效率(CUE, CUE = NEP/GPP), 而年降水量和NDVI是决定两生态系统CUE大小的关键因子。两地区除了CO₂通量大小的差异外, 其环境影响因子也有所不同。采用结构方程模型进行的通径分析表明, 灌丛草甸生长季节CO₂通量的主要限制因子是温度, NEP和GPP主要受气温控制, 随着气温升高而增加; 而草原化草甸的CO₂通量多以季节性干旱导致的水分限制为主, 其次才是气温的影响, 受二者的共同限制。此外, 两生态系统生长季节生态系统呼吸主要受GPP和5 cm土壤温度的直接影响, 其中GPP起主导作用, 非生长季节生态系统呼吸主要受5 cm土壤温度影响。该研究还表明, 水热因子的协调度是决定青藏高原高寒草地GPP和NEP的关键要素。     

极端干旱条件下锡林河流域羊草草原净生态系统碳交换特征

采用涡度相关法对2005年生长季内蒙古锡林河流域羊草(Leymus chinensis)草原净生态系统交换(Net ecosystem exchange, NEE)进行了观测。观测结果表明:作为生长季降雨量仅有126 mm的干旱年,锡林河流域羊草草原生态系统受到强烈的干旱胁迫,其净生态系统碳交换的日动态表现为具有两个吸收高峰,净吸收峰值出现在8∶00和18∶00左右。最大的CO₂吸收率为-0.38 mg CO₂·m^-2·s^-1,出现在6月底,与丰水年相比生态系统最大CO₂吸收率下降了1倍。就整个生长季而言,不管是白天还是晚上2005年都表现为净CO₂排放,整个生长季CO₂净排放量为372.56 g CO₂·m^-2,是一个明显的CO₂源。土壤含水量和土壤温度控制着生态系统CO₂通量的大小,尤其是在白天,CO₂通量和土壤含水量的变化呈现出显著的负相关关系,和土壤温度表现为正相关关系。     

库布齐东缘沙漠化逆转过程中土壤呼吸及其温度敏感性变化

为研究沙漠化逆转过程对土壤呼吸速率(R_s)及其温度敏感性(Q₁₀)的影响,在库布齐沙漠东缘选取流动沙地、半固定沙地、藻结皮固定沙地、地衣结皮固定沙地和苔藓结皮固定沙地5个不同逆转阶段,采用静态暗箱-气相色谱法测定不同阶段样地R_s并计算Q₁₀,并同步分析环境因子对R_s的影响。结果表明: 随沙地固定和植被演替,R_s逐渐增大,表现为苔藓结皮固定沙地(0.78 μmol·m^-2·s^-1)>地衣结皮固定沙地(0.67 μmol·m^-2·s^-1)>藻结皮固定沙地(0.46 μmol·m^-2·s^-1)>半固定沙地(0.42 μmol·m^-2·s^-1)>流动沙地(0.29 μmol·m^-2·s^-1),且R_s均为生长季大于非生长季。Q₁₀值规律相反,为流动沙地(3.28)>半固定沙地(2.93)>藻结皮固定沙地(2.54)>地衣结皮固定沙地(1.91)>苔藓结皮固定沙地(1.84),且均为非生长季大于生长季。5个阶段样地R_s与土壤温度均呈显著正相关,但仅流动沙地和半固定沙地R_s与土壤含水量呈正相关,其余3种固定沙地R_s与土壤含水量无相关性。R_s与土壤全氮、有机碳、容重、孔隙度、细菌数量、放线菌数量及真菌数量均显著相关。在沙漠化逆转过程中,土壤碳氮含量及微生物群落数量的增加、土壤质地的改善、植物生物量的积累可显著增强土壤呼吸并降低其温度敏感性,是改变荒漠土壤碳循环格局的主要驱动力,同时也可明显改变水分因子对土壤呼吸的影响程度。     

环境和生物因子对黄河三角洲滨海湿地净生态系统CO2交换的影响

通过涡度相关和微气象观测技术,对黄河三角洲滨海湿地净生态系统CO₂交换(NEE)以及环境、生物因子进行了观测,探究湿地NEE变化规律及环境和生物因子对NEE的影响. 结果表明: 在日尺度上,生长季NEE呈明显“U”型曲线,非生长季变幅较小;在季节尺度上,NEE生长季波动较大,表现为碳汇,非生长季波动较小,表现为碳源;在年尺度上,滨海湿地生态系统表现为碳汇,总净固碳量为-247 g C·m^-2. 白天NEE主要受控于光合有效辐射(PAR),且生态系统表观量子产量(α)与白天生态系统呼吸(R_eco,d)均于8月达到最大值,最大光合速率(A_max)于7月达到最大值;夜间NEE随气温(T_a)呈指数增加趋势,生态系统的温度敏感系数(Q₁₀)为2.5,且土壤含水量(SWC)越高,Q₁₀值越大.非生长季NEE只与净辐射(R_n)呈显著的线性负相关,与其他环境因子无显著相关关系.生长季NEE与R_n、T_a、土壤10 cm温度(T_{s 10})等环境因子以及叶面积指数(LAI)呈显著的线性负相关,但与地上生物量(AGB)无显著相关关系.多元回归分析表明,R_n和LAI对生长季NEE的协同影响达到52%.     

锡林浩特草原净生态系统碳交换量特征及源区分布

为探究草原生态系统固碳能力,利用锡林浩特国家气候观象台2018—2021年的涡动相关资料分析了锡林浩特草原生态系统CO₂通量的变化特征以及环境因子对CO₂通量的影响,并对通量源区分布进行了探讨。结果表明：研究区全年盛行西南风,生长季的源区面积大于非生长季,大气稳定条件下的源区面积大于不稳定条件;90%贡献率的源区最大长度接近400 m,与经典法则估算的长度一致。锡林浩特草原净生态系统碳交换量(NEE)具有明显的日变化和季节变化,生长季白天为碳汇,夜间为碳源,非生长季白天和夜间均为弱碳源。2018—2021年,年总NEE分别为-15.59、-46.28、-41.94和-78.14 g C·m^-2·a^-1,平均值为-45.49 g C·m^-2·a^-1,表明锡林浩特草原有较强的固碳能力。饱和水汽压差和光合有效辐射有助于草原生态系统吸收大气中CO₂;夜间,当温度高于0℃时,气温和土壤温度升高会促进植被呼吸作用释放CO₂。     

四种作物光下暗呼吸速率降低的原因

以C₃作物(小麦, Triticum aestivum和大豆, Glycine max)和C₄作物(玉米, Zea mays和千穗谷, Amaranthus hypochondriacus)为例, 探讨了其光下暗呼吸速率降低的原因。结果表明, 2% O₂条件下, CO₂浓度为0时, 叶室CO₂浓度维持在0左右, 而胞间CO₂浓度(C_i)显著高于叶室CO₂浓度。分析认为这是由于此时植物的暗呼吸仍在正常进行。因此, 该测量条件下的表观光合速率应为CO₂浓度为0时的光下暗呼吸速率(R_d)。CO₂浓度为0时, 不同光强下的R_d均随光强的升高而降低, 且在低光强(50 μmol·m^-2·s^-1)和高光强(2000 μmol·m^-2·s^-1)之间存在显著差异, 说明光强对R_d具有较大影响。在2% O₂条件下, 经饱和光强充分活化而断光后, 以上4种作物叶片的暗呼吸速率(R_n)均随着时间的推移而下降, 说明光强并未抑制暗呼吸速率。试验结果表明, R_d的降低是由于CO₂被重新回收利用所导致, CO₂回收利用率随光强的升高而增大, 从低光强(50 μmol·m^-2·s^-1)到高光强(2000 μmol·m^-2·s^-1), 小麦、大豆、玉米和千穗谷的回收利用率范围变动分别为22.65%-52.91%、22.40%-55.31%、54.24%-87.59%和72.43%-90.07%。     

围封和放牧对沙质草地碳水通量的影响

碳、水循环是沙质草地生态系统物质和能量循环的两个关键生态过程, 认识碳、水循环的变化对了解沙质草地生态系统结构与功能对区域气候变化和人类活动的响应具有重要作用。2013年利用箱式法对科尔沁围封和放牧的沙质草地进行了一个生长季的观测研究, 结果表明: (1)在观测周期内, 沙质草地生态系统生产力(GEP)、生态系统呼吸(ER)、蒸散量(ET)在围封和放牧样地之间存在显著差异(p < 0.05)。围封17年样地的GEP、ER、ET均最大, 其次为围封22样地的, 放牧样地的最小, 且最大值分别为最小值的2.23倍、1.65倍、1.94倍。(2)碳水(GEP和ET)之间存在显著的线性正相关关系(p < 0.01), ET可解释GEP 58%-60%的变异, 水分利用效率(WUE)从大到小依次为: 围封22年(2.85 μmol·nmol^-1) >围封17年(2.75 μmol·nmol^-1) >放牧(2.10 μmol·nmol^-1)。(3) GEP、ER和土壤含水率之间有显著的线性正相关关系(p < 0.01、p < 0.05), 指数模型能够较好地模拟ER对土壤温度变化的响应, ER的温度敏感系数(Q₁₀值)从大到小依次为: 围封17年(1.878) >围封22年(1.733) >放牧(1.477)。因此, 围封能够使退化沙质草地生态系统的碳水循环速率提高, 但围封时间不宜过久。     

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。     

Carbon balance along the Northeast China Transect(NECT-IGBP)

The Northeast China Transect (NECT) along a precipitation gradient wasused to calculate the carbon balance of different vegetation types, land-use practices and temporal scales. NECT consists of mixed coniferous-broadleaved forest ecosystems, meadow steppe ecosystems and typical steppe ecosystems. Analyses of the C budget were carried out with field measurement based on dark enclosed chamber techniques and alkali absorption methods, and the application of the CENTURY model. Results indicated that: (1) soil CO2 flux had a strong diurnal and seasonal variation influenced by grassland type and land-use practices. However, the seasonal variation on soil CO2 fluxes did not show obvious changes between non-grazing and grazing Leymus chinensis dominated grasslands. (2) Hourly soil CO2 fluxes mainly depended on temperature, while daily CO2 fluxes were affected bothby temperature and moisture. (3) NPP of the three typical ecosystems showed linear relationships with inter-annual precipitation, but total soil carbon of those ecosystems did not. NPP and total soil carbon values decreased westward with decreasing precipitation. (4) Model simulation of NPP and total soil carbon showed that mean annual precipitation was the major limiting factor for ecosystem productivity along NECT. (5) Mean annual carbon budget is the largest for the mixedconiferous- broadleaved forest ecosystem (503.2 gC m-2 a-1), followed by the meadow steppe ecosystem (227.1 gC m-2 a-1), and the lowest being the typical steppe ecosystem (175.8 gC m-2 a-1). This study shows that concurrent field measurements of terrestrial ecosystems including the soil and plant systems with surface layer measurements along the water-driven IGBP-NECT are valuable in understanding the mechanisms driving the carbon cycle in different vegetation types under different land-use practices. Future transect research should be emphasized.     

凋落物去除和添加处理对典型草原生态系统碳通量的影响

为揭示凋落物去除和添加处理对草原生态系统碳通量的影响, 2013和2014年连续两年在成熟群落围封样地进行凋落物去除实验、在退化群落放牧样地进行凋落物添加实验, 并运用静态箱法探讨碳通量变化规律并分析其主要影响因子。结果表明: 两种群落的净生态系统CO₂交换(NEE)有明显的季节性变化。对成熟群落而言, 去除50%凋落物显著增加了NEE, 去除100%凋落物显著降低了NEE, 而对生态系统总初级生产力(GEP)和生态系统呼吸(ER)均无显著影响; 对退化群落而言, 凋落物添加显著增加了GEP和NEE, 而对ER无显著影响。两种群落的GEP与10 cm土壤温度显著正相关, 但NEE和GEP的变化规律与土壤温度相反, 与10 cm土壤湿度相同。由此可见, 凋落物去除和添加处理对生态系统碳通量的影响主要是改变土壤湿度和地上生物量,而不是改变土壤温度。该研究为合理利用凋落物改善草地生态系统管理和促进草地恢复提供了理论依据。     

Effects of litter removal and addition on ecosystem carbon fluxes in a typical steppe

为揭示凋落物去除和添加处理对草原生态系统碳通量的影响, 2013和2014年连续两年在成熟群落围封样地进行凋落物去除实验、在退化群落放牧样地进行凋落物添加实验, 并运用静态箱法探讨碳通量变化规律并分析其主要影响因子。结果表明: 两种群落的净生态系统CO₂交换(NEE)有明显的季节性变化。对成熟群落而言, 去除50%凋落物显著增加了NEE, 去除100%凋落物显著降低了NEE, 而对生态系统总初级生产力(GEP)和生态系统呼吸(ER)均无显著影响; 对退化群落而言, 凋落物添加显著增加了GEP和NEE, 而对ER无显著影响。两种群落的GEP与10 cm土壤温度显著正相关, 但NEE和GEP的变化规律与土壤温度相反, 与10 cm土壤湿度相同。由此可见, 凋落物去除和添加处理对生态系统碳通量的影响主要是改变土壤湿度和地上生物量,而不是改变土壤温度。该研究为合理利用凋落物改善草地生态系统管理和促进草地恢复提供了理论依据。     

Reconciling Carbon-cycle Concepts, Terminology, and Methods

Recent projections of climatic change have focused a great deal of scientific and public attention on patterns of carbon (C) cycling as well as its controls, particularly the factors that determine whether an ecosystem is a net source or sink of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂). Net ecosystem production (NEP), a central concept in C-cycling research, has been used by scientists to represent two different concepts. We propose that NEP be restricted to just one of its two original definitions—the imbalance between gross primary production (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (ER). We further propose that a new term—net ecosystem carbon balance (NECB)—be applied to the net rate of C accumulation in (or loss from [negative sign]) ecosystems. Net ecosystem carbon balance differs from NEP when C fluxes other than C fixation and respiration occur, or when inorganic C enters or leaves in dissolved form. These fluxes include the leaching loss or lateral transfer of C from the ecosystem; the emission of volatile organic C, methane, and carbon monoxide; and the release of soot and CO₂ from fire. Carbon fluxes in addition to NEP are particularly important determinants of NECB over long time scales. However, even over short time scales, they are important in ecosystems such as streams, estuaries, wetlands, and cities. Recent technological advances have led to a diversity of approaches to the measurement of C fluxes at different temporal and spatial scales. These approaches frequently capture different components of NEP or NECB and can therefore be compared across scales only by carefully specifying the fluxes included in the measurements. By explicitly identifying the fluxes that comprise NECB and other components of the C cycle, such as net ecosystem exchange (NEE) and net biome production (NBP), we can provide a less ambiguous framework for understanding and communicating recent changes in the global C cycle.     

Carbon isotopes in terrestrial ecosystem pools and CO2 fluxes

Stable carbon isotopes are used extensively to examine physiological, ecological, and biogeochemical processes related to ecosystem, regional, and global carbon cycles and provide information at a variety of temporal and spatial scales. Much is known about the processes that regulate the carbon isotopic composition (delta(13)C) of leaf, plant, and ecosystem carbon pools and of photosynthetic and respiratory carbon dioxide (CO(2)) fluxes. In this review, systematic patterns and mechanisms underlying variation in delta(13)C of plant and ecosystem carbon pools and fluxes are described. We examine the hypothesis that the delta(13)C of leaf biomass can be used as a reference point for other carbon pools and fluxes, which differ from the leaf in delta(13)C in a systematic fashion. Plant organs are typically enriched in (13)C relative to leaves, and most ecosystem pools and respiratory fluxes are enriched relative to sun leaves of dominant plants, with the notable exception of root respiration. Analysis of the chemical and isotopic composition of leaves and leaf respiration suggests that growth respiration has the potential to contribute substantially to the observed offset between the delta(13)C values of ecosystem respiration and the bulk leaf. We discuss the implications of systematic variations in delta(13)C of ecosystem pools and CO(2) fluxes for studies of carbon cycling within ecosystems, as well as for studies that use the delta(13)C of atmospheric CO(2) to diagnose changes in the terrestrial biosphere over annual to millennial time scales.     

Land‐use change to bioenergy: grassland to short rotation coppice willow has an improved carbon balance

The effect of a transition from grassland to second‐generation (2G) bioenergy on soil carbon and greenhouse gas (GHG) balance is uncertain, with limited empirical data on which to validate landscape‐scale models, sustainability criteria and energy policies. Here, we quantified soil carbon, soil GHG emissions and whole ecosystem carbon balance for short rotation coppice (SRC) bioenergy willow and a paired grassland site, both planted at commercial scale. We quantified the carbon balance for a 2‐year period and captured the effects of a commercial harvest in the SRC willow at the end of the first cycle. Soil fluxes of nitrous oxide (N₂O) and methane (CH₄) did not contribute significantly to the GHG balance of these land uses. Soil respiration was lower in SRC willow (912 ± 42 g C m^?2 yr^?1) than in grassland (1522 ± 39 g C m^?2 yr^?1). Net ecosystem exchange (NEE) reflected this with the grassland a net source of carbon with mean NEE of 119 ± 10 g C m^?2 yr^?1 and SRC willow a net sink, ?620 ± 18 g C m^?2 yr^?1. When carbon removed from the ecosystem in harvested products was considered (Net Biome Productivity), SRC willow remained a net sink (221 ± 66 g C m^?2 yr^?1). Despite the SRC willow site being a net sink for carbon, soil carbon stocks (0–30 cm) were higher under the grassland. There was a larger NEE and increase in ecosystem respiration in the SRC willow after harvest; however, the site still remained a carbon sink. Our results indicate that once established, significant carbon savings are likely in SRC willow compared with the minimally managed grassland at this site. Although these observed impacts may be site and management dependent, they provide evidence that land‐use transition to 2G bioenergy has potential to provide a significant improvement on the ecosystem service of climate regulation relative to grassland systems.     

Effects of increased soil water availability on grassland ecosystem carbon dioxide fluxes

There is considerable interest in how ecosystems will respond to changes in precipitation. Alterations in rain and snowfall are expected to influence the spatio-temporal patterns of plant and soil processes that are controlled by soil moisture, and potentially, the amount of carbon (C) exchanged between the atmosphere and ecosystems. Because grasslands cover over one third of the terrestrial landscape, understanding controls on grassland C processes will be important to forecast how changes in precipitation regimes will influence the global C cycle. In this study we examined how irrigation affects carbon dioxide (CO₂) fluxes in five widely variable grasslands of Yellowstone National Park during a year of approximately average growing season precipitation. We irrigated plots every 2 weeks with 25% of the monthly 30-year average of precipitation resulting in plots receiving approximately 150% of the usual growing season water in the form of rain and supplemented irrigation. Ecosystem CO₂ fluxes were measured with a closed chamber-system once a month from May-September on irrigated and unirrigated plots in each grassland. Soil moisture was closely associated with CO₂ fluxes and shoot biomass, and was between 1.6% and 11.5% higher at the irrigated plots (values from wettest to driest grassland) during times of measurements. When examining the effect of irrigation throughout the growing season (May–September) across sites, we found that water additions increased ecosystem CO₂ fluxes at the two driest and the wettest sites, suggesting that these sites were water-limited during the climatically average precipitation conditions of the 2005 growing season. In contrast, no consistent responses to irrigation were detected at the two sites with intermediate soil moisture. Thus, the ecosystem CO₂ fluxes at those sites were not water-limited, when considering their responses to supplemental water throughout the whole season. In contrast, when we explored how the effect of irrigation varied temporally, we found that irrigation increased ecosystem CO₂ fluxes at all the sites late in the growing season (September). The spatial differences in the response of ecosystem CO₂ fluxes to irrigation likely can be explained by site specific differences in soil and vegetation properties. The temporal effects likely were due to delayed plant senescence that promoted plant and soil activity later into the year. Our results suggest that in Yellowstone National Park, above-normal amounts of soil moisture will only stimulate CO₂ fluxes across a portion of the ecosystem. Thus, depending on the topographic location, grassland CO₂ fluxes can be water-limited or not. Such information is important to accurately predict how changes in precipitation/soil moisture will affect CO₂ dynamics and how they may feed back to the global C cycle.