不同降水梯度下草地生态系统地表能量交换

通过对不同降水梯度下的蒙古中部针茅草原(KBU)、内蒙古羊草草原(NM)、海北高寒灌丛草甸(HB)和当雄高寒草甸草原(DX)4个草地生态系统的能量通量连续4-5 a的测定,分析了影响青藏高原和蒙古高原草地生态系统生长季中地表能量交换的主要因素。研究表明:相对于KBU、NM和DX,HB高寒灌丛草甸NDVI(0.58)和土壤含水量(28.3%)最大,因而地表短波反射率(αk)最低(0.12),从而获得了最大的净辐射(Rn)。KBU、NM和DX 3个草地生态系统生长季中αk随着植被的生长而降低,在生长季末期,随着植被的凋落而增加;HB的αk季节变化趋势与其它生态系统相反。从蒙古高原(KBU和NM)到青藏高原(HB和DX),随着降水量的增加,波文比(β)逐渐减小(2.25-0.53),即生态系统与大气的能量交换从显热(H)占主导转变为潜热(LE)占主导。植被状况对草地生态系统与大气之间能量交换的季节动态有重要的调控作用,在NDVI较低的时候,4个生态系统H/Rn都大于LE/Rn,LE/Rn随着NDVI的增加而增加,而H/Rn呈现出与LE/Rn相反的季节变化趋势。     

The role of shrub (Potentilla fruticosa) on ecosystem CO2 fluxes in an alpine shrub meadow

Aims Recent studies have shown that alpine meadows on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau act as significant CO₂ 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 3 200 to 4 000 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 CO₂ exchange of P. fruticosa shrub patches around the upper distribution limit and to elucidate the role of P. fruticosa on ecosystem CO₂ fluxes in an alpine meadow.Methods We used the static acrylic chamber technique to measure and estimate the net ecosystem productivity (NEP), ecosystem respiration (R e), and gross primary productivity (GPP) of P. fruticosa shrub patches at three elevations around the species' upper distribution limit. Ecosystem CO₂ fluxes and environmental factors were measured from 17 to 20 July 2008 at 3 400, 3 600, and 3 800 m a.s.l. We examined the maximum GPP at infinite light (GPP max) and maximum R e (R emax) 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 CO₂, at least during the daytime. Maximum NEP at infinite light (NEP max) and GPP max of shrub patches in the alpine meadow varied among the three elevations, with the highest values at 3 400 m and the lowest at 3 800 m. GPP max 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 CO₂ uptake in the alpine shrub meadow. Air temperature influenced the potential GPP at the shrub-patch scale. R emax was correlated with aboveground biomass and R emax 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.     

Biotic effects dominate the inter-annual variability in ecosystem carbon exchange in a Tibetan alpine meadow

青藏高寒草甸生态系统碳交换年际变异主要受生物效应影响 位于西藏的高寒草甸生态系统具有敏感脆弱的特点,在全球气候变化背景下,其碳汇功能的变化受到了广泛的关注。因此,本研究旨在明确高寒草甸碳通量的年际变异特征,并进一步量化各驱动因素对碳通量变异的贡献。本研究基于7年(2012–2018)的碳通量与气象因子和生物因子数据,采用一组查表法(look-up tables,LUTs)对高寒草甸碳通量的年际变异来源进行了拆分和量化,并进一步利用线性扰动分析法量化了各个关键因子对碳通量变异的贡献。2012–2018年,高寒草甸生态系统净生产力(net ecosystem productivity, NEP)、总初级生产力(gross primary productivity, GPP)和生态系统呼吸(ecosystem respiration, Re)多年平均值分别为3.31 ± 26.90、210.18 ± 48.35和206.88 ± 28.45 g C m⁻² y⁻¹,表现出了较大的年际变异。本研究通过区分和量化气象因子和生物因子对碳通量年际变异的贡献,发现了生物因子对年际变异的主控作用。此外,发现了气象因子和生物因子之间的负反馈作用。在气象因子中,只有土壤水分对年际变异的贡献相对较大,并在气象因子和生物因子的相互作用中发挥着调节作用。这些结果表明,在气候变化背景下,若要准确估算碳通量,需考虑生物因子的作用。     

Altitudinal variation of ecosystem CO2 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 CO₂. 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 CO₂ fluxes, including gross primary production (GPP), daytime ecosystem respiration (Re_daytime) 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 CO₂ fluxes.     

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。     

Carbon fluxes and species diversity in grazed and fenced typical steppe grassland of Inner Mongolia,China

Aim Grasslands are dominant vegetation of China, support outstanding biodiversity and sequester bulk amount of atmospheric CO₂. These grasslands are highly degraded and fragmented due to remarkable anthropogenic and grazing loads. Chinese Government has made great attempt to restore by grazing exclusion. The relations of carbon fluxes with species composition and diversity in the communities sensitive to grazing by large herbivores are needed to be analysed under the global climate change scenario. The objective of present study was to comprehend the effects of grazing and fencing on the ecosystem structure and function of the typical steppe grassland.     

Carbon–water coupling and its relationship with environmental and biological factors in a planted Caragana liouana shrub community in desert steppe,northwest China

宁夏荒漠草原区中间锦鸡儿灌丛群落碳水循环特征及其与生物环境因子的关系 干旱半干旱区的人工植被重建可能会改变陆地生态系统的重要生物物理过程——碳水循环,然而在人类活动背景下,仍然缺乏对这些区域生态系统的碳水耦合机制的认识。本研究基于涡度相关系统测量了宁夏盐池荒漠草原区人工种植的中间锦鸡儿(Caragana  liouana)灌丛群落的CO2和H2O通量,通过分析总初级生产力(Gross Primary Productivity, GPP)、蒸散发(Evapotranspiration, ET)和水分利用效率(Water Use Efficiency, WUE)的变化,探讨了人工灌丛生态系统碳水通量及其耦合关系,并进一步分析驱动其变化的生物环境因子。研究结果表明,气候因子的季节变化导致了生物物理特征和碳水通量呈周期性变化。在生长季,GPP和ET波动较大,而WUE变化相对稳定。GPP、ET和WUE显著受辐射(Global Radiation, Rg)、温度(Ta和Ts)、水汽压亏缺、叶面积指数和植物水分胁迫指数(Plant Water Stress Index, PWSI)的驱动。其中Rg、温度和PWSI是影响WUE的最重要因素。Rg和温度会对WUE产生直接的促进作用,但同时也会间接地提高PWSI进而抑制WUE。PWSI会抑制光合作用和蒸腾作用,当植物水分胁迫超过一个阈值(PWSI > 0.54)时,WUE会下降,这是因为GPP对植物水分胁迫的响应比ET更敏感。这些研究结果表明,在荒漠草原区通过大规模种植灌木可实现固碳的作用,但也必须充分考虑区域的水资源消耗和水分利用效率的状况。     

Responses of Soil CO2 Fluxes to Short-Term Experimental Warming in Alpine Steppe Ecosystem,Northern Tibet

Soil carbon dioxide (CO₂) emission is one of the largest fluxes in the global carbon cycle. Therefore small changes in the size of this flux can have a large effect on atmospheric CO₂ concentrations and potentially constitute a powerful positive feedback to the climate system. Soil CO₂ fluxes in the alpine steppe ecosystem of Northern Tibet and their responses to short-term experimental warming were investigated during the growing season in 2011. The results showed that the total soil CO₂ emission fluxes during the entire growing season were 55.82 and 104.31 g C m^-2 for the control and warming plots, respectively. Thus, the soil CO₂ emission fluxes increased 86.86% with the air temperature increasing 3.74°C. Moreover, the temperature sensitivity coefficient (Q ₁₀) of the control and warming plots were 2.10 and 1.41, respectively. The soil temperature and soil moisture could partially explain the temporal variations of soil CO₂ fluxes. The relationship between the temporal variation of soil CO₂ fluxes and the soil temperature can be described by exponential equation. These results suggest that warming significantly promoted soil CO₂ emission in the alpine steppe ecosystem of Northern Tibet and indicate that this alpine ecosystem is very vulnerable to climate change. In addition, soil temperature and soil moisture are the key factors that controls soil organic matter decomposition and soil CO₂ emission, but temperature sensitivity significantly decreases due to the rise in temperature.     

江西省森林净初级生产力动态变化特征及其驱动因子分析

亚热带森林生态系统具有巨大的固碳潜力。净初级生产力(NPP)在碳循环过程中具有重要的作用, 受到气候变化、大气成分、森林扰动的强度和频度、林龄等因子的综合影响, 然而目前上述各因子对亚热带森林NPP变化的贡献尚不明确, 需要鉴别森林NPP时空变化的主要驱动因子, 以准确认识亚热带森林生态系统碳循环。该文综合气象数据、年最大叶面积指数(LAI)、参考年NPP (BEPS模型模拟)、林龄、森林类型、土地覆盖、数字高程模型(DEM)、土壤质地、CO₂浓度、氮沉降等多源数据, 利用InTEC模型(Integrated Terrestrial Ecosystem Carbon-budget Model)研究亚热带典型地区江西省森林生态系统1901-2010年NPP时空动态变化特征, 通过模拟情景设计, 着重讨论1970-2010年气候变化、林龄、CO₂浓度和氮沉降对森林NPP动态变化的影响。研究结果如下: (1) InTEC模型能较好地模拟研究区NPP的时空变化; (2)江西省森林NPP 1901-2010年为(47.7 ± 4.2) Tg C·a^-1 (平均值±标准偏差), 其中20世纪70年代、80年代、90年代分别为50.7、48.8、45.4 Tg C·a^-1, 2000-2009年平均为55.2 Tg C·a^-1; 随着森林干扰后的恢复再生长, 江西省森林NPP显著上升, 2000-2009年NPP增加的森林面积占森林总面积的60%; (3) 1970-2010年, 仅考虑森林干扰因子和仅考虑非干扰因子(气候、氮沉降、CO₂浓度)情景下NPP分别为43.1和53.9 Tg C·a^-1, 比综合考虑干扰因子和非干扰因子作用下的NPP分别低估7.3 Tg C·a^-1 (低估的NPP与综合考虑干扰因子和非干扰因子作用下NPP的比值为14.5%,下同)和高估3.6 Tg C·a^-1 (7.1%); 气候因子导致平均NPP减少2.0 Tg C·a^-1 (4.7%), 氮沉降导致平均NPP增加4.5 Tg C·a^-1 (10.4%), CO₂浓度变化及耦合效应(氮沉降+ CO₂浓度变化)分别导致平均NPP增加4.4 Tg C·a^-1 (10.3%)和9.4 Tg C·a^-1 (21.8%)。     

青藏高原草地植被覆盖变化及其与气候因子的关系

为揭示气候变化对青藏高原草地生态系统的影响及其生态适应机制,利用1982~1999年间的NOAA/AVHRR NDVI数据和对应的气候资料,研究了近20年来青藏高原草地植被覆盖变化及其与气候因子的关系。结果表明,18年来研究区生长季NDVI显著增加(p=0.015),其增加率和增加量分别为0.41% a^-1和0.001 0 a^-1。生长季提前和生长季生长加速是青藏高原草地植被生长季NDVI增加的主要原因。春季为NDVI增加率和增加量最大的季节,其增加率和增加量分别为0.92% a^-1和0.001 4 a^-1;夏季NDVI的增加对生长季NDVI增加的贡献相对较小,其增加率和增加量分别为0.37% a^-1和0.001 0 a^-1。3种草地(高寒草甸、高寒草原、温性草原)春季NDVI均显著增加(p<0.01;p=0.001; p=0.002); 高寒草甸夏季NDVI显著增加(p=0.027),而高寒草原和温性草原夏季NDVI呈增加趋势,但都不显著(p=0.106; p=0.087);3种草地秋季NDVI则没有明显的变化趋势(p=0.585; p=0.461; p=0.143)。3种草地春季NDVI的增加是由春季温度上升所致。高寒草地(高寒草甸和高寒草原)夏季NDVI的增加是夏季温度和春季降水共同作用的结果。温性草原夏季NDVI变化与气候因子并没有表现出显著的相关关系。高寒草地植被生长对气候变化的响应存在滞后效应。     

增温对青藏高原高寒草原生态系统碳交换的影响

碳交换是影响草地生态系统碳汇功能的关键过程,对气候变暖极为敏感。青藏高原分布着大面积的高寒草原,其碳汇功能对气候变暖的响应对区域碳循环过程具有重要的影响。为探究高寒草原生态系统碳交换过程对增温的响应,2012—2014年,在青藏高原班戈县进行了模拟增温对高寒草原生态系统碳交换过程影响的研究。结果表明,增温对高寒草原碳交换各组分的影响存在年际差异,但总体上对碳交换存在负面影响。3年平均结果显示,增温显著降低了高寒草原地上生物量、总生态系统生产力(GEP)、生态系统呼吸(ER)和净生态系统碳交换量(NEE)(P0.05),平均降幅分别为15.1%、36.8%、19.2%和51.5%。增温条件下3年平均土壤呼吸(SR)较对照无显著变化(P0.05),但2013年增温显著降低了SR(P0.05),降幅达18.1%。增温对SR与ER的比值具有一定的促进作用,最高增幅达到40.0%。GEP、ER、SR和NEE与土壤温度和土壤水分无显著相关(P0.05),而GEP、ER和NEE与空气温度呈显著的负相关关系(P0.05)。增温引起的干旱胁迫以及地上生物量降低是导致高寒草原NEE降低的主要原因。研究表明,全球变暖会一定程度降低青藏高原高寒草原的碳汇功能。     

Primary Productivity and Precipitation-Use Efficiency in Temperate Grassland in the Loess Plateau of China

Clarifying spatial variations in aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) and precipitation-use efficiency (PUE) of grasslands is critical for effective prediction of the response of terrestrial ecosystem carbon and water cycle to future climate change. Though the combination use of remote sensing products and in situ ANPP measurements, we quantified the effects of climatic [mean annual precipitation (MAP) and precipitation seasonal distribution (PSD)], biotic [leaf area index (LAI)] and abiotic [slope gradient, aspect, soil water storage (SWS) and other soil physical properties] factors on the spatial variations in ANPP and PUE across different grassland types (i.e., meadow steppe, typical steppe and desert steppe) in the Loess Plateau. Based on the study, ANPP increased exponentially with MAP for the entire temperate grassland; suggesting that PUE increased with increasing MAP. Also PSD had a significant effect on ANPP and PUE; where more even PSD favored higher ANPP and PUE. Then MAP, more than PSD, explained spatial variations in typical steppe and desert steppe. However, PSD was the dominant driving factor of spatial variations in ANPP of meadow steppe. This suggested that in terms of spatial variations in ANPP of meadow steppe, change in PSD due to climate change was more important than that in total annual precipitation. LAI explained 78% of spatial PUE in the entire Loess Plateau temperate grassland. As such, LAI was the primary driving factor of spatial variations in PUE. Although the effect of SWS on ANPP and PUE was significant, it was nonetheless less than that of precipitation and vegetation. We therefore concluded that changes in vegetation structure and consequently in LAI and/or altered pattern of seasonal distribution of rainfall due to global climate change could significantly influence ecosystem carbon and water cycle in temperate grasslands.     

不同幅度的实验增温对藏北高寒草甸净生态系统碳交换的影响

全球气候变暖将对陆地生态系统(尤其是高寒草甸生态系统)碳循环产生深远影响。该研究依托中国科学院地理科学与资源研究所藏北高原草地生态系统研究站(那曲站), 设置不同增温幅度实验, 模拟未来2 ℃增温和4 ℃增温的情景, 探究不同增温幅度对青藏高原高寒草甸净生态系统碳交换(NEE)的影响。研究结果显示: 1)在2015年生长季(6-9月), 不增温和2 ℃增温处理下NEE小于0, 总体表现为碳汇, 而4 ℃增温处理下NEE大于0, 总体表现为碳源; 2)在生长季的6月、8月及整个生长季, 与不增温相比, 4 ℃增温处理显著提高了NEE, 而2 ℃增温处理没有显著改变NEE; 7月, 2 ℃和4 ℃增温处理均显著提高了NEE; 3)在半干旱的高寒草甸生态系统, 土壤水分是决定NEE的关键因素, 增温通过降低土壤水分而导致高寒草甸生态系统碳汇能力下降。该研究可为青藏高原高寒草甸生态系统应对未来气候变化提供基础数据和理论依据。     

Effects of experimental warming on net ecosystem CO2 exchange in Northern Xizang alpine meadow

AimsGlobal warming could have profound effects on ecosystem carbon (C) fluxes in alpine ecosystems. The aim of our study is to examine the effects of gradient warming on net ecosystem carbon exchange (NEE).MethodsIn the Northern Tibetan Grassland Ecosystem Research Station (Nagqu station), Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, we conducted various levels of temperature increasing experiments (i.e., 2 °C and 4 °C increments). The warming was achieved using open-top chambers (OTCs). In total, there were three levels of temperature treatments (control, 2 °C and 4 °C increment), and four replicates for each treatment. The ecosystem NEE was monitored every five days during the growing season in 2015.Important findings Our findings highlight the importance of soil moisture in mediating the responses of NEE to climatic warming in alpine meadow ecosystem. The 4 °C warming significantly stimulated NEE,except for July measurements. The 2 °C warming had no effects on NEE during the growing season. Compared to the 2 °C warming, the 4 °C warming significantly stimulated NEE. The results showed that our targeted ecosystem acts as a carbon sink under 2 °C warming, whereas will act as a net carbon source under 4 °C warming in the future. This study provides basic data and theoretical basis for evaluating the alpine ecosystem’s responses to climate change.     

Responses of soil respiration to simulated precipitation pulses in semiarid steppe under different grazing regimes

Aims Precipitation pulses and different land use practices (such as grazing) play important roles in regulating soil respiration and carbon balance of semiarid steppe ecosystems in Inner Mongolia. However, the interactive effects of grazing and rain event magnitude on soil respiration of steppe ecosystems are still unknown. We conducted a manipulative experiment with simulated precipitation pulses in Inner Mongolia steppe to study the possible responses of soil respiration to different precipitation pulse sizes and to examine how grazing may affect the responses of soil respiration to precipitation pulses.Methods Six water treatments with different precipitation pulse sizes (0, 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 mm) were conducted in the ungrazed and grazed sites, respectively. Variation patterns of soil respiration of each treatment were determined continuously after the water addition treatments.Important findings Rapid and substantial increases in soil respiration occurred 1 day after the water treatments in both sites, and the magnitude and duration of the increase in soil respiration depended on pulse size. Significantly positive relationships between the soil respiration and soil moisture in both sites suggested that soil moisture was the most important factor responsible for soil respiration rate during rain pulse events. The ungrazed site maintained significantly higher soil moisture for a longer time, which was the reason that the soil respiration in the ungrazed site was maintained relatively higher rate and longer period than that in the grazed site after a rain event. The significant exponential relationship between soil temperature and soil respiration was found only in the plots with the high water addition treatments (50 and 100 mm). Lower capacity of soil water holding and lower temperature sensitivity of soil respiration in the grazed site indicated that degraded steppe due to grazing might release less CO₂ to the atmosphere through soil respiration under future precipitation and temperature scenarios.     

Temperature and moisture sensitivities of CO2 efflux from lowland and alpine meadow soils

Aims This study was conducted to (i) determine if soil CO₂ efflux is more sensitive to temperature changes in alpine areas than in lowland grasslands, (ii) examine the effects of temperature and moisture on soil respiration, and (iii) evaluate the potential for change in soil carbon storage in response to global warming in different grasslands in East Asia.Methods We collected soil samples from two different temperate grasslands, an alpine meadow on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau, China, and a lowland grassland in Tsukuba, Japan. The CO₂ emission rate was then measured for these soil samples after they were incubated at 25°C and 60% of the water holding capacity for 7 days.Important findings (i)?The soil respiration rate was more sensitive to temperature change in the alpine soil than in the lowland soil. The average Q 10 was 7.6 for the alpine meadow soil but only 5.9 for the lowland soil. The increased sensitivity appears to be due, at least in part, to the soil organic carbon content and/or soil carbon to nitrogen ratio, especially in the surface layer. (ii) The relationship between the CO₂ emission rate and the soil moisture content revealed that the alpine meadow had a more clear response than the lowland soil. (iii) This study suggests that changes in soil moisture and soil temperature may have larger impacts on soil CO₂ efflux in the alpine meadow than in the lowland grassland evaluated here.     

Inverse analysis of coupled carbon-nitrogen cycles against multiple datasets at ambient and elevated CO2

Aims Carbon (C) sequestration in terrestrial ecosystems is strongly regulated by nitrogen (N) processes. However, key parameters that determine the degree of N regulation on terrestrial C sequestration have not been well quantified.Methods Here, we used a Bayesian probabilistic inversion approach to estimate 14 target parameters related to ecosystem C and N interactions from 19 datasets obtained from Duke Forests under ambient and elevated carbon dioxide (CO₂).Important findings Our results indicated that 8 of the 14 target parameters, such as C:N ratios in most ecosystem compartments, plant N uptake and external N input, were well constrained by available datasets whereas the others, such as N allocation coefficients, N loss and the initial value of mineral N pool were poorly constrained. Our analysis showed that elevated CO₂ led to the increases in C:N ratios in foliage, fine roots and litter. Moreover, elevated CO₂ stimulated plant N uptake and increased ecosystem N capital in Duke Forests by 25.2 and 8.5%, respectively. In addition, elevated CO₂ resulted in the decrease of C exit rates (i.e. increases in C residence times) in foliage, woody biomass, structural litter and passive soil organic matter, but the increase of C exit rate in fine roots. Our results demonstrated that CO₂ enrichment substantially altered key parameters in determining terrestrial C and N interactions, which have profound implications for model improvement and predictions of future C sequestration in terrestrial ecosystems in response to global change.     

青藏高原纳木错高寒草甸生态系统碳交换对多梯度增水的响应

高寒草甸是青藏高原的主要草地类型, 对青藏高原生态系统碳收支具有重要的调节作用。目前, 有关高寒草甸生态系统碳交换对气候变化的响应所知甚少, 尤其是降水变化会如何影响高寒草甸碳交换过程的相关研究非常匮乏。该文作者于2013和2014年的生长季(5-9月)在青藏高原纳木错地区高寒草甸进行多梯度人工增水实验, 设置对照和5个水分添加梯度, 分别增加0%、20%、40%、60%、80%和100%的降水, 以研究高寒草甸生态系统在不同降水量条件下的碳交换变化。增水处理后, 各处理梯度之间的土壤温度没有显著差异, 而土壤含水量在不同增水处理后出现显著变化, 相对于对照, 增水幅度越大, 对应的土壤含水量越高。综合2013和2014年的观测结果, 高寒草甸生态系统整体表现为碳吸收, 在20%增水处理中, 净生态系统碳交换(NEE)达到最大值, 随着模拟的降水梯度进一步增加, NEE逐渐下降; 增水处理对生态系统呼吸(ER)无显著影响; 总生态系统生产力(GEP)的变化趋势与NEE一致, 即随着增水梯度增大, GEP先增加, 并在增水20%处理达到最大值, 随后GEP开始降低。研究表明, 在高寒草甸生态系统, 水分是影响GEP和NEE的重要因素, 对ER影响较弱; 未来适度的增水(20%-40%)能促进高寒草甸生态系统对碳的吸收。     

Responses of ecosystem carbon exchange to multi-level water addition in an alpine meadow in Namtso of Qinghai-Xizang Plateau,China

高寒草甸是青藏高原的主要草地类型, 对青藏高原生态系统碳收支具有重要的调节作用。目前, 有关高寒草甸生态系统碳交换对气候变化的响应所知甚少, 尤其是降水变化会如何影响高寒草甸碳交换过程的相关研究非常匮乏。该文作者于2013和2014年的生长季(5-9月)在青藏高原纳木错地区高寒草甸进行多梯度人工增水实验, 设置对照和5个水分添加梯度, 分别增加0%、20%、40%、60%、80%和100%的降水, 以研究高寒草甸生态系统在不同降水量条件下的碳交换变化。增水处理后, 各处理梯度之间的土壤温度没有显著差异, 而土壤含水量在不同增水处理后出现显著变化, 相对于对照, 增水幅度越大, 对应的土壤含水量越高。综合2013和2014年的观测结果, 高寒草甸生态系统整体表现为碳吸收, 在20%增水处理中, 净生态系统碳交换(NEE)达到最大值, 随着模拟的降水梯度进一步增加, NEE逐渐下降; 增水处理对生态系统呼吸(ER)无显著影响; 总生态系统生产力(GEP)的变化趋势与NEE一致, 即随着增水梯度增大, GEP先增加, 并在增水20%处理达到最大值, 随后GEP开始降低。研究表明, 在高寒草甸生态系统, 水分是影响GEP和NEE的重要因素, 对ER影响较弱; 未来适度的增水(20%-40%)能促进高寒草甸生态系统对碳的吸收。     

Water-mediated responses of ecosystem carbon fluxes to climatic change in a temperate steppe

Global warming and a changing precipitation regime could have a profound impact on ecosystem carbon fluxes, especially in arid and semiarid grasslands where water is limited. A field experiment manipulating temperature and precipitation has been conducted in a temperate steppe in northern China since 2005. A paired, nested experimental design was used, with increased precipitation as the primary factor and warming simulated by infrared radiators as the secondary factor. The results for the first 2 yr showed that gross ecosystem productivity (GEP) was higher than ecosystem respiration, leading to net C sink (measured by net ecosystem CO(2) exchange, NEE) over the growing season in the study site. The interannual variation of NEE resulted from the difference in mean annual precipitation. Experimental warming reduced GEP and NEE, whereas increased precipitation stimulated ecosystem C and water fluxes in both years. Increased precipitation also alleviated the negative effect of experimental warming on NEE. The results demonstrate that water availability plays a dominant role in regulating ecosystem C and water fluxes and their responses to climatic change in the temperate steppe of northern China.