Abstract
The ecosystem-level gas exchange characteristics of an alpine grassland treated with a combination of elevated CO 2 and moderate additions of NPK fertilizer during the third season of experimental treatments are described. Mid-season maximum daytime net ecosystem CO 2 flux (NEC max) increased significantly under elevated CO 2 (+45%), whereas nighttime NEC was unaffected by the CO 2 treatment. Since daytimke NEC under elevated CO 2 underwent a seasonal decline, only moderate carbon surpluses accumulated under elevated CO 2. The observed seasonal decline in daytime NEC may be due to reduced sink strength once maximum aboveground biomass is attained and appears to be a regulatory mechanism of ecosystem carbon accumulation. Moderate additions of NPK fertilizer stimulated both day-(+39%) and nighttime NEC (+29%) due to increased plant biomass, independent of CO 2 treatment. Yet there is no indication that enhanced mineral nutrient status will increase ecosystem responsiveness to elevated CO 2.
Published Version
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