TY - JOUR
T1 - Carbon flux dynamics and influencing factors in a semi-arid dune ecosystem of northern China
AU - Li, Xia
AU - Liu, Tingxi
AU - Guan, Huade
AU - Batelaan, Okke
AU - Duan, Limin
AU - Tong, Xin
AU - Wang, Guanli
PY - 2024/8
Y1 - 2024/8
N2 - The dune ecosystem plays a significant role in the global carbon cycle. The Horqin Sandy Land is a typical semi-arid fragile ecosystem in northern China. Understanding the magnitudes and dynamics of carbon dioxide fluxes within this region is essential for understanding the carbon balance. Used 6 years (2013–2018) measurements from an eddy-covariance system, we analyzed the dynamic patterns of net ecosystem carbon exchange (NEE), gross primary production (GPP), and ecosystem respiration (Reco) of the dune ecosystem in Horqin Sandy Land and examined their responses to climate factors with a focus on the precipitation. The results showed that the NEE of the dune ecosystem fluctuated from −166 to 100 gCO2·m−2·year−1 across the 6 growing seasons, with an average of −56 gCO2·m−2·year−1. The precipitation was not a key factor influencing the carbon flux variability. During the mid-growth stage, GPP was primarily affected by the effective precipitation frequency (R2 ranging from 0.65 to 0.85, P < 0.05), followed by fractional vegetation cover (R2 ranging from 0.65 to 0.68, P < 0.05). However, in the early and late growth stages, temperature predominantly drove the carbon flux (R2 = 0.75, P < 0.01). The interannual variability of carbon flux can be predominantly elucidated by phenological indicators such as CO2 uptake (CUstart), end of CO2 uptake (CUend), CO2 uptake period (CUP), and Spring lag. The results demonstrated the dune ecosystem is a weak carbon sink in semi-arid ecosystems. Furthermore, we emphasized the significance of effective precipitation frequency in regulating carbon fluxes. Our results provide a foundational understanding of the carbon balance in semi-arid ecosystems.
AB - The dune ecosystem plays a significant role in the global carbon cycle. The Horqin Sandy Land is a typical semi-arid fragile ecosystem in northern China. Understanding the magnitudes and dynamics of carbon dioxide fluxes within this region is essential for understanding the carbon balance. Used 6 years (2013–2018) measurements from an eddy-covariance system, we analyzed the dynamic patterns of net ecosystem carbon exchange (NEE), gross primary production (GPP), and ecosystem respiration (Reco) of the dune ecosystem in Horqin Sandy Land and examined their responses to climate factors with a focus on the precipitation. The results showed that the NEE of the dune ecosystem fluctuated from −166 to 100 gCO2·m−2·year−1 across the 6 growing seasons, with an average of −56 gCO2·m−2·year−1. The precipitation was not a key factor influencing the carbon flux variability. During the mid-growth stage, GPP was primarily affected by the effective precipitation frequency (R2 ranging from 0.65 to 0.85, P < 0.05), followed by fractional vegetation cover (R2 ranging from 0.65 to 0.68, P < 0.05). However, in the early and late growth stages, temperature predominantly drove the carbon flux (R2 = 0.75, P < 0.01). The interannual variability of carbon flux can be predominantly elucidated by phenological indicators such as CO2 uptake (CUstart), end of CO2 uptake (CUend), CO2 uptake period (CUP), and Spring lag. The results demonstrated the dune ecosystem is a weak carbon sink in semi-arid ecosystems. Furthermore, we emphasized the significance of effective precipitation frequency in regulating carbon fluxes. Our results provide a foundational understanding of the carbon balance in semi-arid ecosystems.
KW - Ecosystem respiration
KW - Effective precipitation frequency
KW - Gross primary production
KW - Net ecosystem carbon exchange
KW - Semi-arid area
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85198277683&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121696
DO - 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121696
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85198277683
SN - 0301-4797
VL - 366
JO - Journal of Environmental Management
JF - Journal of Environmental Management
M1 - 121696
ER -