Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Alpine wetland ecosystem carbon sink and its controls at the Qinghai Lake

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Environmental Earth Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Wetland ecosystems play an important role in regulating the Earth’s climate. This paper presents the results of a study on the alpine wetland ecosystem CO2 fluxes at the Qinghai Lake at different vegetative development stages and CO2 controlling factors measured by eddy covariance system. The results showed that the alpine wetland ecosystem at the Qinghai Lake area was a carbon sink on the whole year basis. The average net ecosystem CO2 exchange (NEE) amount was −904.42 g CO2/m2; the average amount of the ecosystem reparation (Re) was 1450 g CO2/m2; the average gross primary productivity (GPP) was 2354.42 g CO2/m2 from July 2011 to June 2013 year. The NEE, Re and GPP amounts were the maximum during the growing stage of the whole year. There were significant negative linear correlations between monthly NEE amount and monthly average total solar radiation (SR) (R 2 = 0.27, p < 0.05), incident photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) (R 2 = 0.28, p < 0.05), ambient vapor pressure deficit (VPD) (R 2 = 0.38, p < 0.01), monthly total precipitation (P) (R 2 = 0.65, p < 0.0001), monthly mean leaf area index (LAI) (R 2 = 0.85, p < 0.0001) and enhanced vegetation index (EVI) (R 2 = 0.84, p < 0.0001). Extreme significant polynomial nonlinear negative correlations were found between NEE amounts and monthly average air temperature (T a ) (R 2 = 0.84, p < 0.0001), soil temperature at 0–5 cm depth (T s ) (R 2 = 0.90, p < 0.0001) and air relative humidity (RH) (R 2 = 0.76, p < 0.0001). The monthly Re amount of alpine wetland ecosystem at the Qinghai Lake at different stages showed significant nonlinear positive correlations with all the identified affecting factors except for monthly mean EVI, which showed a linear relationship (R 2 = 0.72, p < 0.0001). The monthly GPP amount at different vegetative development stages showed a significant exponential correlation with monthly average T a (R 2 = 0.92, p < 0.0001), a power function with VPD (R 2 = 0.24, p < 0.05), quadratic polynomial ones with monthly average T s (R 2 = 0.93, p < 0.0001), RH (R 2 = 0.74, p < 0.0001) and monthly P (R 2 = 0.55, p < 0.05). Extremely significant linear correlations of the monthly GPP amount at different developing stages with monthly average LAI (R 2 = 0.85, p < 0.0001) and EVI (R 2 = 0.92, p < 0.0001) were also found.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aires LMI, Pio CA, Pereira JS (2008) Carbon dioxide exchange above a Mediterranean C3/C4 grassland during two climatologically contrasting years. Glob Change Biol 14(3):539–555

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alm J, Talanov A, Saarnio S, Silvola J, Ikkonen E, Aaltonen H, Nykänen H, Martikainen PJ (1997) Reconstruction of the carbon balance for microsites in a boreal oligotrophic pine fen, Finland. Oecologia 110(3):423–431

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Andrews JA, Matamala R, Westover KM, Schlesinger WH (2000) Temperature effects on the diversity of soil heterotrophs and the δ13C of soil respired CO2. Soil Biol Biochem 32(5):699–706

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ao HY, Wu CX, Xiong X, Huang XL, Zhang K, Liu JT (2014) Water and sediment quality in Qinghai Lake, China: a revisit after half a century. Environ Monit Assess 186(4):2121–2133

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baldocchi D, Hicks BB, Meyers TP (1988) Measuring biosphere-atmosphere exchanges of biologically related gases with micrometeorological methods. Ecology 69(5):1331–1340

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beringer J, Livesley SJ, Randle J, Hutley LB (2013) Carbon dioxide fluxes dominate the greenhouse gas exchanges of a seasonal wetland in the wet–dry tropics of northern Australia. Agr Forest Meteorol 182–183:239–247

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berry J, Bjorkman O (1980) Photosynthetic response and adaptation to temperature in higher plants. Plant Ecol 31(31):491–543

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonneville MC, Strachan IB, Humphreys ER, Roulet NT (2008) Net ecosystem CO2 exchange in a temperate cattail marsh in relation to biophysical properties. Agr For Meteorol 148(1):69–81

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burba GG, McDermitt DK, Grelle A, Anderson DJ, Xu LK (2008) Addressing the influence of instrument surface heat exchange on the measurements of CO2 flux from open-path gas analyzers. Global Change Biol 14(8):1854–1876

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burba G, Schmidt A, Scott RL, Nakai T, Kathilankal J, Fratini G, Hanson C, Law B, McDermitt DK, Eckles R, Furtaw M, Velgersdyk M (2012) Calculating CO2 and H2O eddy covariance fluxes from an enclosed gas analyzer using an instantaneous mixing ratio. Global Change Biol 18(1):385–399

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cao SK, Chen KL, Cao GC, Zhang L, Ma J, Yang L, Lu BL, Chen L, Lu H (2011) The analysis of characteristic and spatial variability for soil organic matter and organic carbon around Qinghai Lake. Procedia Environ Sci 10:678–684

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen Z, Yu GR, Ge JP, Sun XM, Hirano T, Saigusa N, Wang QF, Zhu XJ, Zhang YP, Zhang JJ, Yan JH, Wang HM, Zhao L, Wang YF, Shi PL, Zhao FH (2013) Temperature and precipitation control of the spatial variation of terrestrial ecosystem carbon exchange in the Asian region. Agr For Meteorol 182–183(12):266–276

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen Z, Yu GR, Zhu XJ, Wang QF (2014) Spatial pattern and regional characteristics of terrestrial ecosystem carbon fluxes in the northern hemisphere. Quat Sci 34:710–722 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Colman SM, Yu SY, An ZS, Shen J, Henderson ACG (2007) Late Cenozoic climate changes in China’s western interior: a review of research on Lake Qinghai and comparison with other records. Quat Sci Rev 26(17–18):2281–2300

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Erwin KL (2009) Wetlands and global climate change: the role of wetland restoration in a changing world. Wetl Eco Manag 17(1):71–84

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Falge E, Baldocchi D, Olson R, Anthoni P, Aubinet M, Bernhofer Ch, Burba G, Ceulemans R, Clement R, Dolman H, Granier A, Gross P, Grünwald T, Hollinger D, Jensen NO, Katul G, Keronen P, Kowalski A, Lai CT, Law BE, Meyers T, Moncrieff J, Moors E, Munger JW, Pilegaard K, Rannik Ü, Rebmann C, Suyker A, Tenhunen J, Tu K, Verma S, Vesala T, Wilson K, Wofsy S (2001) Gap filling strategies for defensible annual sums of net ecosystem exchange. Agr For Meteorol 107(1):43–69

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Falge E, Baldocchi D, Tenhunen J, Aubinet M, Bakwin P, Berbigier P, Bernhofer C, Burba G, Clement R, Davis KJ, Elbers JA, Goldstein AH, Grelle A, Granier A, Guðmundsson J, Hollinger D, Kowalski AS, Katul G, Law BE, Malhi Y, Meyers T, Monson RK, Munger JW, Oechel W, Paw UKT, Pilegaard K, Rannik Ü, Rebmann C, Suyker A, Valentini R, Wilson K, Wofsy S (2002) Seasonality of ecosystem respiration and gross primary production as derived from FLUXNET measurements. Agr For Meteorol 113(1/4):53–74

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flanagan LB, Wever LA, Carlson PJ (2002) Seasonal and interannual variation in carbon dioxide exchange and carbon balance in a northern temperate grassland. Global Change Biol 8(7):599–615

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fu YL, Yu GR, Wang YF, Li ZQ, Hao YB (2006) Effect of water stress on ecosystem photosynthesis and respiration of a Leymus chinensis steppe in Inner Mongolia. Sci China Ser D 49(2):196–206

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Glenn AJ, Flanagan LB, Syed KH, Carlson PJ (2006) Comparison of net ecosystem CO2 exchange in two peatlands in western Canada with contrasting dominant vegetation, Sphagnum and Carex. Agr For Meteorol 140(1–4):115–135

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goldstein AH, Hultman NE, Fracheboud JM, Bauer MR, Panek JA, Xu M, Qi Y, Guenther AB, Baugh W (2000) Effects of climate variability on the carbon dioxide, water, and sensible heat fluxes above a ponderosa pine plantation in the Sierra Nevada (CA). Agr For Meteorol 101(2–3):113–129

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guo Q, Li SG, Hu ZM, Zhao W, Yu GR, Sun XM, Li LH, Liang NS, Bai WM (2016) Responses of gross primary productivity to different sizes of precipitation events in a temperate grassland ecosystem in Inner Mongolia, China. J Arid Land 8(1):36–46

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hao YB, Cui XY, Wang YF, Mei XR, Kang XM, Wu N, Luo P, Zhu D (2011) Predominance of precipitation and temperature controls on ecosystem CO2 exchange in Zoige alpine wetlands of southwest China. Wetlands 31(2):413–422

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heikkinen JEP, Elsakov V, Martikainen PJ (2002) Carbon dioxide and methane dynamics and annual carbon balance in tundra wetland in NE Europe, Russia. Global Biogeochem Cy 16(4):62-1–62-15

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hirata R, Saigusa N, Yamamoto S, Ohtani Y, Ide R, Asanuma J, Gamo M, Hirano T, Kondo H, Kosugi Y, Li SG, Nakai Y, Takagi K, Tani M, Wang HM (2008) Spatial distribution of carbon balance in forest ecosystems across East Asia. Agr For Meteorol 148(5):761–775

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ji XB, Zhao WZ, Kang ES, Zhang ZH, Jin BW, Zhao LW (2013) Effect of the instrument surface heating on CO2 flux from open-path eddy covariance system at Linze station. Plateau Meteorol 32(1):65–77 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jin ZD, Wang SM, Zhang F, Shi YW (2010a) Weathering, Sr fluxes, and controls on water chemistry in the Lake Qinghai catchment, NE Tibetan Plateau. Earth Surf Proc Land 35(9):1057–1070

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jin ZD, You CF, Wang Y, Shi YW (2010b) Hydrological and solute budgets of Lake Qinghai, the largest lake on the Tibetan Plateau. Quatern Int 218(1–2):151–156

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kang XM, Wang YF, Chen H, Tian JQ, Cui XY, Rui YC, Kardol P, Hao YB, Xiao XM (2014) Modeling carbon fluxes using multi-temporal MODIS imagery and CO2 eddy flux tower data in Zoige alpine wetland, south-west China. Wetlands 34(3):603–618

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kato T, Tang YH (2008) Spatial variability and major controlling factors of CO2 sink strength in Asian terrestrial ecosystems: evidence from eddy covariance data. Global Change Biol 14(10):2333–2348

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kato T, Hirota M, Tang YH, Cui XY, Li YN, Zhao XQ, Oikawa T (2005) Strong temperature dependence and no moss photosynthesis in winter CO2 flux for a Kobresia meadow on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Soil Biol Biochem 37(10):1966–1969

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kato T, Tang Y, Gu S, Hirota M, Du M, Li Y, Zhao X (2006) Temperature and biomass influences on interannual changes in CO2 exchange in an alpine meadow on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Global Change Biol 12(7):1285–1298

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kljun N, Calanca P, Rotach MW, Schmid HP (2004) A simple parameterization for flux footprint predictions. Bound-Lay Meteorol 112(3):503–523

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lafleur PM, Roulet NT, Admiral SW (2001) Annual cycle of CO2 exchange at a bog peatland. J Geophys Res 106(D3):3071–3081

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Law BE, Falge E, Gu L, Baldocchi DD, Bakwin P, Berbigier P, Davis K, Dolman AJ, Falk M, Fuentes JD, Goldstein A, Granier A, Grelle A, Hollinger D, Janssens IA, Jarvis P, Jensen NO, Katul G, Mahli Y, Matteucci G, Meyers T, Monson R, Munger W, Oechel W, Olson R, Pilegaard K, Paw UKT, Thorgeirsson H, Valentini R, Verma S, Vesala T, Wilson K, Wofsy S (2002) Environmental controls over carbon dioxide and water vapor exchange of terrestrial vegetation. Agr Forest Meteorol 113(1–4):97–120

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li XY, Xu HY, Sun YL, Zhang DS, Yang ZP (2007) Lake-level change and water balance analysis at Lake Qinghai, West China during recent decades. Water Resour Manag 21(9):1505–1516

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li C, He HL, Liu M, Su W, Fu YL, Zhang LM, Wen XF, Yu GR (2008) The design and application of CO2 flux data processing system at ChinaFLUX. Geo-Inf Sci 10(5):557–565 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Li XZ, Liu WG, Xu LM (2012) Carbon isotopes in surface-sediment carbonates of modern Lake Qinghai (Qinghai–Tibet Plateau): implications for lake evolution in arid areas. Chem Geol 300–301(2):88–96

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li Y, Kang XM, Hao YB, Ding K, Wang YF, Cui XY, Mei XR (2014) Carbon, water and heat fluxes of a reed (Phragmites australis) wetland in the Yellow River Delta, China. Acta Ecologica Sinica 34(15):4400–4411 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lloyd CR (2006) Annual carbon balance of a managed wetland meadow in the Somerset Levels, UK. Agr For Meteorol 138(138):168–179

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lloyd J, Taylor JA (1994) On the temperature dependence of soil respiration. Funct Ecol 8(3):315–323

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marek MV, Janouš D, Taufarová K, Havránková K, Pavelka M, Kaplan V, Marková I (2011) Carbon exchange between ecosystems and atmosphere in the Czech Republic is affected by climate factors. Environ Pollut 159(5):1035–1039

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Massman W (2004) Concerning the measurement of atmospheric trace gas fluxes with open- and closed-path eddy covariance system: the WPL terms and spectral attenuation. Handbook of micrometeorology: a guide for surface flux measurements, vol 29. Kluwer Academic, Dordrecht, pp 133–160

    Google Scholar 

  • Mauder MA (2013) A comment on “How well can we measure the vertical wind speed? Implications for fluxes of energy and mass” by Kochendorfer. Bound-Lay Meteorol 147(2):329–335

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meirelles ML, Bracho R, Ferreira EAB (2015) Carbon dioxide exchange in a tropical wet grassland. Wetl Ecol Manag 23(5):817–826

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Michaelis L, Menten ML (1913) Die kinetic der invertinwirkung. Biochemische Zeitschrift 49:333–369

    Google Scholar 

  • Moncrieff JB, Clement R, Finnigan J, Meyers T (2004) Averaging, detrending and filtering of eddy covariance time series. Handbook of micrometeorology: a guide for surface flux measurements, vol 29. Kluwer Academic, Dordrecht, pp 7–31

    Google Scholar 

  • Moncrieff JB, Massheder JM, de Bruin H, Elbers J, Friborg T, Heusinkveld B, Kabat P, Scott S, Soegaard H, Verhoef A (1997) A system to measure surface fluxes of momentum, sensible heat, water vapour and carbon dioxide. J Hydrol 188–189(1–4):589–611

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morgenstern K, Black TA, Humphreys ER, Griffis TJ, Drewitt GB, Cai T, Nesic Z, Spittlehouse DL, Livingston NJ (2004) Sensitivity and uncertainty of the carbon balance of a Pacific Northwest Douglas-fir forest dung an El Niño/La Niña cycle. Agr For Meteorol 123(3–4):201–219

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nakai T, Shimoyama K (2012) Ultrasonic anemometer angle of attack errors under turbulent conditions. Agr For Meteorol 162–163(3):14–26

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Piao SL, Fang JY, Ciais P, Peylin P, Huang Y, Sitch S, Wang T (2009a) The carbon balance of terrestrial ecosystems in China. Nature 458(7241):1009–1013

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Piao SL, Friedlingstein P, Ciais P, Peylin P, Zhu B, Reichstein M (2009b) Footprint of temperature changes in the temperate and boreal forest carbon balance. Geophys Res Lett 36(7):L07404

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Polley HW, Emmerich W, Bradford JA, Sims PL, Johnson DA, Saliendra NZ, Svejcar T, Angell R, Frank AB, Phillips RL, Snyder KA, Morgan JA (2010) Physiological and environmental regulation of interannual variability in CO2 exchange on rangelands in the western United States. Global Change Biol 16(3):990–1002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reichstein M, Falge E, Baldocchi D, Papale D, Aubinet M, Berbigier P, Bernhofer C, Buchmann N, Gilmanov T, Granier A, Grünwald T, Havránková K, Ilvesniemi H, Janous D, Knohl A, Laurila T, Lohila A, Loustau D, Matteucci G, Meyers T, Miglietta F, Ourcival JM, Pumpanen J, Rambal S, Rotenberg E, Sanz M, Tenhunen J, Seufert G, Vaccari F, Vesala T, Yakir D, Valentini R (2005) On the separation of net ecosystem exchange into assimilation and ecosystem respiration: review and improved algorithm. Global Change Biol 11(9):1424–1439

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sabine CL, Heimann M, Artaxo P, Bakker DCE, Chen CTA, Field CB, Gruber N, Quere CL, Prinn RG, Richey JE, Lankao PR, Sathaye JA, Valentini R (2004) Current status and past trends of the global carbon cycle. Island Press, Washington, Scope 62:17–44

  • Saigusa N, Yamamoto S, Hirata R, Ohtani Y, Ide R, Asanuma J, Gamo M, Hirano T, Kondo H, Kosugi Y, Li SG, Nakai Y, Takagi K, Tani M, Wang HM (2008) Temporal and spatial variations in the seasonal patterns of CO2 flux in boreal, temperate, and tropical forests in East Asia. Agr For Meteorol 148(5):700–713

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saito M, Kato T, Tang Y (2009) Temperature controls ecosystem CO2 exchange of an alpine meadow on the northeastern Tibetan Plateau. Global Change Biol 15(1):221–228

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sasai T, Saigusa N, Nasahara KN, Ito A, Hashimoto H, Nemani R, Hirata R, Ichii K, Takagi K, Saitoh TM, Ohta T, Murakami K, Yamaguchi Y, Oikawa T (2011) Satellite-driven estimation of terrestrial carbon flux over Far East Asia with 1-km grid resolution. Remote Sens Environ 115(7):1758–1771

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Song CC, Sun L, Huang Y, Wang YS, Wan ZM (2011) Carbon exchange in a freshwater marsh in the Sanjiang Plain, northeastern China. Agr For Meteorol 151(8):1131–1138

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sulman B, Desai A, Cook B, Saliendra N, Mackay D (2009) Contrasting carbon dioxide fluxes between a drying shrub wetland in Northern Wisconsin, USA, and nearby forests. Biogeosciences 6(6):1115–1126

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tang RC, Gao XQ, Zhang J (1992) The annual changes of the water level of the Lake Qinghai in the recent thirty years. Chin Sci Bull 37:524 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wan DJ, Jin ZD, Wang YX (2012) Geochemistry of eolian dust and its elemental contribution to Lake Qinghai sediment. Appl Geochem 27(8):1546–1555

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang JT (2015) Characteristics of carbon dioxide flux in the coastal reclaimed reed wetland of Chongming Dongtan. Master’s Dissertation, East China Normal University (in Chinese)

  • Wang SY, Zhang Y, Lü SH, Su PX, Shang LY, Li ZG (2016) Biophysical regulation of carbon fluxes over an alpine meadow ecosystem in the eastern Tibetan Plateau. Int J Biometeorol 60(6):1–12

    Google Scholar 

  • Webb EK, Pearman GI, Leuning R (1980) Correction of flux measurements for density effects due to heat and water-vapor transfer. Q J Roy Meteor Soc 106(447):85–100

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu JB, Guan DX, Sun XM, Zhao XS, Han SJ, Jin CJ (2004) Eddy flux revision of CO2 exchange over a broadleaf-Korean pine forest in Changbai Mountain. Sci China Ser D, 34(SII): 95-102 (in Chinese)

  • Xiao J, Jin ZD, Zhang F, Wang J (2012) Solute geochemistry and its sources of the groundwater’s in the Qinghai Lake Catchment, NW China. J Asian Earth Sci 52(4):21–30

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xing Y, Jiang QG, Li WQ (2009) Landscape spatial patterns changes of the wetland in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Ecol Environ Sci 18:1010–1015 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu L, Baldocchi DD (2004) Seasonal variation in carbon dioxide exchange over a Mediterranean annual grassland in California. Agr For Meteorol 123(1–2):79–96

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang F, Zhou G, Hunt JE, Zhang F (2011) Biophysical regulation of net ecosystem carbon dioxide exchange over a temperate desert steppe in Inner Mongolia, China. Agr Ecosyst Environ 142(3–4):318–328

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yu GR, He NP, Wang QF (2013) Carbon budget and carbon sink of ecosystems in China: theoretical basis and comprehensive assessment. Beijing: Science press 141 (in Chinese)

  • Yu GR, Zhang LM, Sun XM, Fu YL, Wen XF, Wang QF, Li SG, Ren CY, Song X, Liu YF, Han SJ, Yan JH (2008) Environmental controls over carbon exchange of three forest ecosystems in eastern China. Global Change Biol 14(11):2555–2571

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang FW, Liu AH, Li YN, Zhao L, Wang QX, Du MY (2008) CO2 flux in alpine wetland ecosystem on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Acta Ecologica Sinica 28(2):453–462 (in Chinese)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang JC (2008) Study on comprehensive assessment of eco-environment based on RS/GIS in the Qinghai-Tibet. Jilin University Dissertation

  • Zhao KY (1999) Wetlands of China. Science Press, Beijing (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhao L, Li J, Xu S, Zhou H, Li Y, Gu S, Zhao X (2010) Seasonal variations in carbon dioxide exchange in an alpine wetland meadow on the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau. Biogeosciences 7(4):1207–1221

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao L, Li YN, Zhao XQ, Xu SX, Tang YH, Yu GR, Gu S, Du MY, Wang QX (2005) Comparative study of the net exchange of CO2 in 3 types of vegetation ecosystems on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Chin Sci Bull 50(16):1767–1774

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao ZL, Zhang YL, Liu LS, Liu F, Zhang H (2015) Recent changes in wetlands on the Tibetan Plateau: a review. J Geogr Sci 25(7):879–896

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou L, Zhou GS, Jia QY (2009) Annual cycle of CO2 exchange over a reed (Phragmites australis) wetland in Northeast China. Aquat Bot 91(2):91–98

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu Z, Ma Y, Li M, Hu Z, Xu C, Zhang L, Han C, Wang Y, Ichiro T (2015) Carbon dioxide exchange between an alpine steppe ecosystem and the atmosphere on the Nam Co area of the Tibetan Plateau. Agr For Meteorol 203(S1):169–179

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This paper is co-sponsored by National Natural Science Foundation (31260130), Western Light Project of Chinese Academy of Sciences (2012179), China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2013M542400), Key Scientific and Technological Research Project Fund of Ministry of Education of China and Qinghai Province Key Laboratory of Physical Geography and Environmental Process (2014-Z-Y24, 2015-Z-Y01). Thanks to Dr. Ren Ze and Palden Choying for improving the manuscript and valuable suggestions.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China

    Shengkui Cao & Qi Feng

  2. College of Life and Geographical Science, Qinghai Normal University, Xining, 810008, China

    Shengkui Cao, Guangchao Cao, Guangzhao Han, Yangyang Lin, Jie Yuan, Fangtao Wu & Shuyan Cheng

  3. Qinghai Province Key Laboratory of Physical Geography and Environmental Process, Qinghai Normal University, Xining, 810008, China

    Shengkui Cao, Guangchao Cao, Qi Feng, Guangzhao Han, Yangyang Lin, Jie Yuan, Fangtao Wu & Shuyan Cheng

Authors
  1. Shengkui Cao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Guangchao Cao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Qi Feng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Guangzhao Han
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Yangyang Lin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Jie Yuan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Fangtao Wu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Shuyan Cheng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shengkui Cao.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Cao, S., Cao, G., Feng, Q. et al. Alpine wetland ecosystem carbon sink and its controls at the Qinghai Lake. Environ Earth Sci 76, 210 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-017-6529-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-017-6529-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation