Effects of experimental warming on soil respiration and its components in an alpine meadow in the permafrost region of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

2014 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 145-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Peng ◽  
Q. G. You ◽  
M. H. Xu ◽  
X. H. Zhou ◽  
T. Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Respiration ◽  
Alpine Meadow ◽  
Tibet Plateau ◽  
Permafrost Region ◽  
Experimental Warming ◽  
Qinghai Tibet Plateau

scholarly journals Freeze-thaw processes of active layer regulate soil respiration of alpine meadow in the permafrost region of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junfeng Wang ◽  
Qingbai Wu ◽  
Ziqiang Yuan ◽  
Hojeong Kang
Keyword(s):  
Soil Respiration ◽  
Active Layer ◽  
Alpine Meadow ◽  
Water Status ◽  
Tibet Plateau ◽  
Permafrost Region ◽  
Permafrost Degradation ◽  
Freezing And Thawing ◽  
Freeze Thaw ◽  
Qinghai Tibet Plateau

Abstract. Freezing and thawing action of the active layer plays a significant role in soil respiration (Rs) in permafrost regions. However, little is known about how the freeze-thaw process regulates the Rs dynamics in different stages for the alpine meadow underlain by permafrost on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP). We conducted continuous in-situ measurements of Rs and freeze-thaw process of the active layer at an alpine meadow site in the Beiluhe permafrost region of QTP to determine the regulatory mechanisms of the different freeze-thaw stages of the active layer on the Rs. We found that the freezing and thawing process of active layer modified the Rs dynamics differently in different freeze-thaw stages. The mean Rs ranged from 0.56 to 1.75 μmol/m2s across the stages, with the lowest value in the SW stage and highest value in the ST stage; and Q10 among the different freeze-thaw stages changed greatly, with maximum (4.9) in the WC stage and minimum (1.7) in the SW stage. Patterns of Rs among the ST, AF, WC, and SW stages differed, and the corresponding contribution percentages of cumulative Rs to annual total Rs were 61.54, 8.89, 18.35, and 11.2 %, respectively. Soil temperature (Ts) was the most important driver of Rs regardless of soil water status in all stages. Our results suggest that as the climate warming and permafrost degradation continue, great changes in freeze-thaw process patterns may trigger more Rs emissions from this ecosystem because of prolonged ST stage.

scholarly journals Soil respiration of alpine meadow is controlled by freeze–thaw processes of active layer in the permafrost region of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. 2835-2848
Author(s):  
Junfeng Wang ◽  
Qingbai Wu ◽  
Ziqiang Yuan ◽  
Hojeong Kang
Keyword(s):  
Soil Respiration ◽  
Active Layer ◽  
Alpine Meadow ◽  
Tibet Plateau ◽  
Permafrost Region ◽  
Permafrost Degradation ◽  
Freeze Thaw ◽  
Thaw Cycle ◽  
Freeze Thaw Cycle ◽  
Qinghai Tibet Plateau

Abstract. Freezing and thawing action of the active layer plays a significant role in soil respiration (Rs) in permafrost regions. However, little is known about how the freeze–thaw processes affect the Rs dynamics in different stages of the alpine meadow underlain by permafrost in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP). We conducted continuous in situ measurements of Rs and freeze–thaw processes of the active layer at an alpine meadow site in the Beiluhe permafrost region of the QTP and divided the freeze–thaw processes into four different stages in a complete freeze–thaw cycle, comprising the summer thawing (ST) stage, autumn freezing (AF) stage, winter cooling (WC) stage, and spring warming (SW) stage. We found that the freeze–thaw processes have various effects on the Rs dynamics in different freeze–thaw stages. The mean Rs ranged from 0.12 to 3.18 µmol m−2 s−1 across the stages, with the lowest value in WC and highest value in ST. Q10 among the different freeze–thaw stages changed greatly, with the maximum (4.91±0.35) in WC and minimum (0.33±0.21) in AF. Patterns of Rs among the ST, AF, WC, and SW stages differed, and the corresponding contribution percentages of cumulative Rs to total Rs of a complete freeze–thaw cycle (1692.98±51.43 g CO2 m−2) were 61.32±0.32 %, 8.89±0.18 %, 18.43±0.11 %, and 11.29±0.11 %, respectively. Soil temperature (Ts) was the most important driver of Rs regardless of soil water status in all stages. Our results suggest that as climate change and permafrost degradation continue, great changes in freeze–thaw process patterns may trigger more Rs emissions from this ecosystem because of a prolonged ST stage.

Effects of grazing exclusion on soil respiration components in an alpine meadow on the north-eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

CATENA ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 194 ◽  
pp. 104750
Author(s):  
Jinlan Wang ◽  
Yuzhen Liu ◽  
Wenxia Cao ◽  
Wen Li ◽  
Xiaojun Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Respiration ◽  
Alpine Meadow ◽  
Tibet Plateau ◽  
Grazing Exclusion ◽  
The North ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Qinghai Tibet Plateau

scholarly journals Impacts of changes in vegetation cover on soil water heat coupling in an alpine meadow of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China

2009 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 327-341 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Genxu ◽  
H. Hongchang ◽  
L. Guangsheng ◽  
L. Na
Keyword(s):  
Heat Flux ◽  
Soil Temperature ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Vegetation Cover ◽  
Alpine Meadow ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Frozen Soil ◽  
Tibet Plateau ◽  
Permafrost Region ◽  
Qinghai Tibet Plateau

Abstract. Alpine meadow is one of the most widespread grassland types in the permafrost regions of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and the transmission of coupled soil water heat is one of the most crucial processes influencing cyclic variations in the hydrology of frozen soil regions, especially under different vegetation covers. The present study assesses the impact of changes in vegetation cover on the coupling of soil water and heat in a permafrost region. Soil moisture (θv), soil temperature (Ts), soil heat content, and differences in θv−Ts coupling were monitored on a seasonal and daily basis under three different vegetation covers (30, 65, and 93%) on both thawed and frozen soils. Regression analysis of θv vs. Ts plots under different levels of vegetation cover indicates that soil freeze-thaw processes were significantly affected by the changes in vegetation cover. The decrease in vegetation cover of an alpine meadow reduced the difference between air temperature and ground temperature (ΔTa−s), and it also resulted in a decrease in Ts at which soil froze, and an increase in the temperature at which it thawed. This was reflected in a greater response of soil temperature to changes in air temperature (Ta). For ΔTa−s outside the range of −0.1 to 1.0°C, root zone soil-water temperatures showed a significant increase with increasing ΔTa−s; however, the magnitude of this relationship was dampened with increasing vegetation cover. At the time of maximum water content in the thawing season, the soil temperature decreased with increasing vegetation. Changes in vegetation cover also led to variations in θv−Ts coupling. With the increase in vegetation cover, the surface heat flux decreased. Soil heat storage at 20 cm in depth increased with increasing vegetation cover, and the heat flux that was downwardly transmitted decreased. The soil property varied greatly under different vegetation covers, causing the variation of heat conductivity and water-heat hold capacity in topsoil layer in different vegetation cover. The variation of heat budget and transmitting in soil is the main factor that causes changes in soil thawing and freezing processes, and θv−Ts coupling relationship under different vegetation fractions. In addition to providing insulation against soil warming, vegetation in alpine meadows within the permafrost region also would slow down the response of permafrost to climatic warming via the greater water-holding capacity of its root zone. Such vegetation may therefore play an important role in conserving water in alpine meadows and maintaining the stability of engineering works constructed within frozen soil of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

scholarly journals Impacts of changes in vegetation cover on soil water heat coupling in an alpine meadow, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China

2008 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 2543-2579
Author(s):  
W. Genxu ◽  
H. Hongchang ◽  
L. Yuanshou ◽  
W. Yibo
Keyword(s):  
Heat Flux ◽  
Soil Temperature ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Vegetation Cover ◽  
Alpine Meadow ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Frozen Soil ◽  
Tibet Plateau ◽  
Permafrost Region ◽  
Qinghai Tibet Plateau

Abstract. Alpine meadow is one of the most widespread grassland types in the permafrost regions of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The transmission of coupled soil water heat is one of the most important processes influencing cyclic variations in the hydrology of frozen soil regions, especially under conditions of changing vegetation cover. The present study assesses the impact of changes in vegetation cover on the coupling of soil water and heat in a permafrost region. Soil moisture (θv), soil temperature (Ts), soil heat content, and differences in θv−Ts coupling were monitored on a seasonal and daily basis under three different densities of vegetation cover (30, 65, and 93%) upon both thawed and frozen soils. Regression analysis of θv vs. Ts plots under different levels of vegetation cover indicates that soil freeze-thaw processes were significantly affected by changes in vegetation cover. With decreasing vegetation cover upon an alpine meadow, the difference between air temperature and ground temperature (ΔTa−s) also decreased. A decrease in vegetation cover also resulted in a decrease in the Ts at which soil froze and an increase in the temperature at which it thawed; this was reflected in a greater response of soil temperature to changes in air temperature (Ta). For ΔTa−s outside the range of −0.1 to 1.0°C, root zone soil-water temperatures showed a significant increase with increasing ΔTa−s; however, the magnitude of this relationship was dampened with increasing vegetation cover. At the time of maximum water content in the thawing season, the soil temperature decreased with increasing vegetation. Changes in vegetation cover also led to variations in θv−Ts coupling. With increasing vegetation cover, the surface heat flux increased, along with the amplitude of its variations. Soil heat storage at 20 cm depth also increased with increasing vegetation cover, and the downward transmitted of heat flux decreased. In addition to providing insulation against soil warming, vegetation in alpine meadows within the permafrost region also slows down the response of permafrost to climatic warming via the greater water-holding capacity of its root zone. Such vegetation may therefore play an important role in conserving water in alpine meadows and maintaining the stability of engineering works constructed within frozen soil of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

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