Abstract
The seasonal and interannual variability of gross ecosystem photosynthesis (Pg) and ecosystem respiration (Re), and their relationships to environmental variables and stand characteristics were used to explain the variation of eddy‐covariance‐measured net ecosystem productivity (FNEP) of three different‐aged Douglas‐fir stands located on the east coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. During the 9‐year period, 1998–2006, which included a strong El Niño/La Niña event, the near‐end‐of‐rotation stand (DF49, 57 years old in 2006) was a moderate carbon (C) sink for CO2 with annual FNEP ranging from 267 to 410 g C m−2 yr−1 (mean ± SD, 357 ± 51 g C m−2 yr−1). The pole/sapling stand (HDF88, 18 years old in 2006) was a weak C source (FNEP = −64 ± 75 g C m−2 yr−1), and the recently harvested stand (HDF00, 6 years old in 2006) was a large C source (FNEP = −515 ± 88 g C m−2 yr−1) during 2002–2006. Irrespective of stand age, all sites responded quite similarly to changes in environmental variables during each year. Daily total values of Pg and Re were highest in July–August in all three stands, while daily FNEP peaked during April–June at DF49, May–June at HDF88, and June–July at HDF00. Reductions in root‐zone soil water content decreased both Pg and Re especially during the dry period from May to September, and this effect was more pronounced in the younger stands. Evapotranspiration and dry‐foliage surface conductance also decreased with decreasing root‐zone soil water content whereas water use efficiency appeared to be conservative, especially at DF49. Increasing spring temperature had a positive effect on annual Pg and Re but caused a slight decrease in annual FNEP. During the summer to autumn transition period, increases in soil water content resulted in a greater increase in Re than Pg causing a reduction in FNEP. The interannual variation in the C balance was determined mainly by the interannual variation in Re for the near‐end‐of‐rotation stand and Pg for the two younger stands. The results indicate that regardless of the stand age, interannual variability in the C balance was mainly determined by year‐to‐year variability in spring temperature and water availability in late summer.
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