Seasonal dynamics of gas regulation service in forest ecosystem

Abstract

Using the 3-year observational data from ChinaFlux (Chinese Terrestrial Ecosystem Flux Research Network), we studied the gas regulation flux dynamics and cumulative process of gas regulation value in Qianyanzhou middle subtropical plantation (QYF) and Changbai Mountain temperate mixed forest (CBF). The gas regulation service was differentiated into vegetation gas regulation service and net ecosystem gas regulation service. Carbon tax approach, reforestation cost approach and industrial oxygen approach were employed to calculate gas regulation value. Results show that there was significant seasonal variation in vegetation gas regulation flux. Daily CO₂ uptake fluxes averaged 82.00 kg·ha⁻¹·d⁻¹ and 59.37 kg·ha⁻¹·d⁻¹ and the corresponding O₂ emission fluxes were 59.65 kg·ha⁻¹·d⁻¹ and 43.19 kg·ha⁻¹·d⁻¹ for QYF and CBF, respectively. The cumulative curves of vegetation gas regulation value always followed a sigmoid shape, and the annual gas regulation value produced by vegetation was RMB 14 342.69 yuan·ha⁻¹ and RMB 10 384.18 yuan·ha⁻¹ for both QYF and CBF, respectively. In terms of monthly net ecosystem gas regulation service, QYF appeared as a CO₂ sink and O₂ source for the whole year, while CBF appeared to be a CO₂ sink and O₂ source mainly in the period between May and September. The cumulative curves of net ecosystem gas regulation value presented a sigmoid (“S”) shape for QYF, while a unimodal type curve for CBF. The annual net ecosystem gas regulation value was 8470.52 yuan·ha⁻¹ and 5091.98 yuan·ha⁻¹ for QYF and CBF, respectively. The economic value of both the vegetation gas regulation service and net ecosystem gas regulation service were mainly produced between May and October.

Keywords

gas regulation service / flux / cumulative / CO₂ uptake / O₂ emission

References

[1] Costanza R., d’Arge R., deGroot R., Farber S., Grasso M., Hannon B., Limburg K., Naeem S., Oneill R.V., Paruelo J., Raskin R.G., Sutton P., van den Belt M.. The value of the world’s ecosystem services and natural capital. Nature, 1997, 387: 253-260.

[2] Gu F., Yu G., Wen X., Tao B., Li K., Liu Yunfen.. Drought effects on carbon exchange in a subtropical coniferous plantation in China. Acta Phytoecologica Sinica, 2008, 32(5): 1041-1051.

[3] Guo Z., Xiao X., Gan Y., Zheng Yuejun.. Ecosystem functions, services and their values — a case study in Xingshan County of China. Ecological Economics, 2001, 38: 141-154.

[4] Jin F., Lu S., Yu X., Rao L., Niu J., Xie Y., Zhang Zhenming.. Forest ecosystem service and its evaluation in China. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 2005, 16(8): 1531-1536.

[5] Kramer P.J.. Carbon dioxide concentration, photosynthesis, and dry matter production. Bioscience, 1981, 31: 2 9-33.

[6] Liu Y., Song X., Yu G., Sun X., Wen X., Chen Yongrui.. Seasonal variation of CO2 flux and its environmental factors in evergreen coniferous plantation. Science in China Series D, 2005, 48(Supp.I): 123-132.

[7] Liu Y., Yu G., Wen X., Wang Y., Song X., Li J., Sun X., Yang F., Chen Y., Liu Qijing.. Seasonal dynamics of CO2 fluxes from subtropical plantation coniferous ecosystem. Science in China Series D, 2006, 49(Supp.II): 99-109.

[8] Ma Z., Liu Q., Wang H., Li X., Zeng H., Xu Wenjia.. Observation and modeling of NPP for Pinus elliottii plantation in subtropical China. Science in China Series D, 2008, 51(7): 955-965.

[9] Myers N.. Daily G.. The world’s forests and their ecosystem services. Nature’s Services: Societal Dependence on Natural Ecosystems. 1997, Washington, DC: Island Press, 215 235

[10] Ouyang Z., Wang X., Miao H.. A primary study on Chinese terrestrial ecosystem services and their ecological economic values. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 1999, 19(5): 607-613.

[11] Ouyang Z., Zhao T., Zhao J., Xiao H., Wang Xiaoke.. Ecological regulation services of Hainan Island ecosystem and their valuation. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 2004, 15(8): 1395-1402.

[12] Wang M., Guan D., Wang Y., Hao Z., Liu Yaqin.. Estimate of productivity in ecosystem of the broad-leaved Korean pine mixed forest in Changbai Mountain. Science in China Series D, 2006, 49(Supp.II): 1-15.

[13] Xiao Y., Xie G., Lu C., Lu Yao.. Forming mechanisms and accumulating processes of gas regulation by rice paddy ecosystems. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 2005, 25(12): 3282-3288.

[14] Xiao Y., Xie G., Lu C., Ding X., Lu Yao.. The value of gas exchange as a service by rice paddies in suburban Shanghai, PR China. Agriculture. Ecosystems and Environment, 2005, 109: 273-283.

[15] Xie G., Lu C., Leng Y., Zheng D., Li Shuangcheng.. Ecological assets valuation of the Tibetan Plateau. Journal of Natural Resources, 2003, 18(2): 189-196.

[16] Yu D., Pan Y., Wang Y., Liu X., Li J., Long Zhonghua.. Valuation of ecosystem services for Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province from 2001 to 2003 by remote sensing data. Journal of Forestry Research, 2005, 16(3): 223-227.

[17] Yu X., Lu S., Jin F., Chen L., Rao L., Lu Guiqiao.. The assessment of the forest ecosystem services evaluation in China. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 2005, 25(8): 2096-2102.

[18] Zhang L., Yu G., Sun X., Wen X., Ren C., Song X., Liu Y., Guan D., Yan J., Zhang Yiping.. Seasonal variation of carbon exchange of typical forest ecosystems along the eastern forest transect in China. Science in China Series D, 2006, 49(Supp.I): 47-62.

[19] Zhang J., Yu G., Han S., Guan D., Sun Xiaomin.. Seasonal and annual variation of CO2 flux above a broad-leaved Korean pine mixed forest. Science in China Series D, 2006, 49(Supp.II): 63-73.

[20] Zhang L., Yu G., Luo Y., Gu F., Zhang Leiming.. Influences of error distributions of net ecosystem exchange on parameter estimation of a process-based terrestrial model. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 2008, 28(7): 3017-3026.

[21] Zhao T., Ouyang Z., Zheng H., Wang X., Miao Hong.. Forest ecosystem services and their valuation in China. Journal of Natural Resources, 2004, 19(4): 480-491.