Convergence of potential net ecosystem production among contrasting C3 grasslands. (24th January 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Peichl, Matthias; Sonnentag, Oliver; Wohlfahrt, Georg; Flanagan, Lawrence B.; Baldocchi, Dennis D.; Kiely, Gerard; Galvagno, Marta; Gianelle, Damiano; Marcolla, Barbara; Pio, Casimiro; Migliavacca, Mirco; Jones, Michael B.; Saunders, Matthew; Hooper, David
• Is Part Of: Ecology letters. Volume 16:Number 4(2013:Apr.)
• Page Start: 502
• Page End: 512
• Publication Date: 2013-01-24
• Subjects: Ecology -- Periodicals; 577
• DOI: 10.1111/ele.12075
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1461-023X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="ele12075-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Metabolic theory and body size constraints on biomass production and decomposition suggest that differences in the intrinsic potential net ecosystem production (NEP_POT) should be small among contrasting C₃ grasslands and therefore unable to explain the wide range in the annual apparent net ecosystem production (NEP_APP) reported by previous studies. We estimated NEP_POT for nine C₃ grasslands under contrasting climate and management regimes using multiyear eddy covariance data. NEP_POT converged within a narrow range, suggesting little difference in the net carbon dioxide uptake capacity among C₃ grasslands. Our results indicate a unique feature of C₃ grasslands compared with other terrestrial ecosystems and suggest a state of stability in NEP_POT due to tightly coupled production and respiration processes. Consequently, the annual NEP_APP of C₃ grasslands is primarily a function of seasonal and short‐term environmental and management constraints, and therefore especially susceptible to changes in future climate patterns and associated adaptation of management practices.</p> </abstract>