Abstract. There have been only a few studies that allow us to estimate the contribution of newly-created reservoirs to greenhouse gas budgets. In particular, information is limited for understanding the spatiotemporal variation of N2O flux and the underlying mechanisms in the littoral zone where complex biochemical processes are induced by water level fluctuations. A study was carried out at five different water levels (deep water area, shallow water area, seasonally flooded area, control site for seasonally flooded area and non-flooded area) at the littoral zone of a temperate reservoir using the static chamber technique. Seasonal and spatial variations of N2O flux and environmental factors were monitored throughout the growing season including a flood event during summer rains. The N2O flux ranged from −2.29 to 182.47 μg m−2 h−1. Non-flooded dry land emitted more N2O than flooded land, no matter whether it was permanently or seasonally flooded. However, no significant difference was observed between seasonally flooded sites and their control sites. Wind speed, air temperature, soil water content, dissolved oxygen in water and soil nitrate influenced N2O flux significantly. In order to know the contrasting characteristics of N2O and CH4 fluxes in the littoral zone of the reservoir, results were compared with a previous study on CH4 emission carried out at the same sites and time with comparable methods. It showed that N2O flux and CH4 flux was influenced by distinct factors and in differing ways. This work highlights the complexity of N2O flux at the littoral zone. The different response ways of N2O and CH4 to environments implies the big challenge of greenhouse gas emission control through ecosystem management.
Effects of water-level fluctuations on the environmental characteristics and fish-environment relationships in the littoral zone of a reservoir
