Diurnal and Seasonal Carbon Dioxide Exchange and Its Components in Temperate Grasslands In the Netherlands - an Outline of the Methodology

Abstract

A methodological outline is presented of a study into the diurnal and seasonal cycle of carbon fluxes within grassland ecosystems in the Netherlands in relation to their environment. At experimental sites Lelystad and Zegveld - predominantly Lolium perenne L. at a clay and peat soil, respectively - measurements will be made on (1) net CO2 assimilation of the grassland vegetation using infrared gas analysis; (2) carbon distribution within the plant using 14C pulse labeling; and (3) carbon and CO2 fluxes associated with root respiration and soil organic matter decomposition using 14C pulse labeling. At both sites and at experimental site Cabauw additional measurements will be made on total CO2 fluxes between the grassland vegetation and the lower part of the atmospheric boundary layer. For the analysis of the experimental results and generalisation of the relationships between carbon fluxes and environmental and plant factors use will be made of dynamic simulation models of grass growth and soil organic matter dynamics.