scholarly journals Catastrophic shifts in the aquatic primary production revealed by a small low-flow section of tropical downstream after dredging

2015 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
pp. 804-811
Author(s):  
H. Marotta ◽  
A. Enrich-Prast

Abstract Dredging is a catastrophic disturbance that directly affects key biological processes in aquatic ecosystems, especially in those small and shallow. In the tropics, metabolic responses could still be enhanced by the high temperatures and solar incidence. Here, we assessed changes in the aquatic primary production along a small section of low-flow tropical downstream (Imboassica Stream, Brazil) after dredging. Our results suggested that these ecosystems may show catastrophic shifts between net heterotrophy and autotrophy in waters based on three short-term stages following the dredging: (I) a strongly heterotrophic net primary production -NPP- coupled to an intense respiration -R- likely supported by high resuspended organic sediments and nutrients from the bottom; (II) a strongly autotrophic NPP coupled to an intense gross primary production -GPP- favored by the high nutrient levels and low solar light attenuation from suspended solids or aquatic macrophytes; and (III) a NPP near to the equilibrium coupled to low GPP and R rates following, respectively, the shading by aquatic macrophytes and high particulate sedimentation. In conclusion, changes in aquatic primary production could be an important threshold for controlling drastic shifts in the organic matter cycling and the subsequent silting up of small tropical streams after dredging events.

2000 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. F. M. CAMARGO ◽  
E. R. FLORENTINO

In this paper we evaluated the population dynamics and obtained estimates of the net primary production of the aquatic macrophyte Nymphaea rudgeana in an arm of the Itanhaém River (São Paulo State, Brazil). This species presents, in the studied area, a broad seasonal variation of biomass. As from November (13.1 g DW/m²) we observed a gradual increase of biomass that reached a maximum in February (163.1 g DW/m²). Then, the biomass decreased, maintaining low levels until a new growth period. The reduction of biomass is associated to the development of floating aquatic macrophytes (Pistia stratiotes and Salvinia molesta) and, subsequently to environmental factors (higher salinity values) that are unfavorable to their development. The net primary production of N. rudgeana was estimated from the biomass data, and the annual productivity value was estimated between 3.02 and 3.82 t/ha/year.


Author(s):  
Richard T. Corlett

This chapter deals with the ecology of Tropical East Asia from the perspective of water, energy, and matter flows through ecosystems, particularly forests. Data from the network of eddy flux covariance towers is revealing general patterns in gross primary production, ecosystem respiration, and net ecosystem production, and exchange. There is also new information on the patterns of net primary production and biomass within the region. In contrast, our understanding of the role of soil nutrients in tropical forest ecology still relies mostly on work done in the Neotropics, with just enough data from Asia to suggest that the major patterns may be pantropical. Nitrogen and phosphorus have received most attention regionally, followed by calcium, potassium, and magnesium, and there has been very little study of the role of micronutrients and potentially toxic concentrations of aluminium, manganese, and hydrogen ions. Animal nutrition has also been neglected.


2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (23) ◽  
pp. 6855-6869 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Rambal ◽  
M. Lempereur ◽  
J. M. Limousin ◽  
N. K. Martin-StPaul ◽  
J. M. Ourcival ◽  
...  

Abstract. The partitioning of photosynthates toward biomass compartments plays a crucial role in the carbon (C) sink function of forests. Few studies have examined how carbon is allocated toward plant compartments in drought-prone forests. We analyzed the fate of gross primary production (GPP) in relation to yearly water deficit in an old evergreen Mediterranean Quercus ilex coppice severely affected by water limitations. Carbon fluxes between the ecosystem and the atmosphere were measured with an eddy covariance flux tower running continuously since 2001. Discrete measurements of litterfall, stem growth and fAPAR allowed us to derive annual productions of leaves, wood, flowers and acorns, and an isometric relationship between stem and belowground biomass has been used to estimate perennial belowground growth. By combining eddy covariance fluxes with annual net primary productions (NPP), we managed to close a C budget and derive values of autotrophic, heterotrophic respirations and carbon-use efficiency (CUE; the ratio between NPP and GPP). Average values of yearly net ecosystem production (NEP), GPP and Reco were 282, 1259 and 977 g C m−2. The corresponding aboveground net primary production (ANPP) components were 142.5, 26.4 and 69.6 g C m−2 for leaves, reproductive effort (flowers and fruits) and stems, respectively. NEP, GPP and Reco were affected by annual water deficit. Partitioning to the different plant compartments was also impacted by drought, with a hierarchy of responses going from the most affected – the stem growth – to the least affected – the leaf production. The average CUE was 0.40, which is well in the range for Mediterranean-type forest ecosystems. CUE tended to decrease less drastically in response to drought than GPP and NPP did, probably due to drought acclimation of autotrophic respiration. Overall, our results provide a baseline for modeling the inter-annual variations of carbon fluxes and allocation in this widespread Mediterranean ecosystem, and they highlight the value of maintaining continuous experimental measurements over the long term.


2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (20) ◽  
pp. 4767-4780 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karin F. Kvale ◽  
Katrin J. Meissner

Abstract. Treatment of the underwater light field in ocean biogeochemical models has been attracting increasing interest, with some models moving towards more complex parameterisations. We conduct a simple sensitivity study of a typical, highly simplified parameterisation. In our study, we vary the phytoplankton light attenuation parameter over a range constrained by data during both pre-industrial equilibrated and future climate scenario RCP8.5. In equilibrium, lower light attenuation parameters (weaker self-shading) shift net primary production (NPP) towards the high latitudes, while higher values of light attenuation (stronger shelf-shading) shift NPP towards the low latitudes. Climate forcing magnifies this relationship through changes in the distribution of nutrients both within and between ocean regions. Where and how NPP responds to climate forcing can determine the magnitude and sign of global NPP trends in this high CO2 future scenario. Ocean oxygen is particularly sensitive to parameter choice. Under higher CO2 concentrations, two simulations establish a strong biogeochemical feedback between the Southern Ocean and low-latitude Pacific that highlights the potential for regional teleconnection. Our simulations serve as a reminder that shifts in fundamental properties (e.g. light attenuation by phytoplankton) over deep time have the potential to alter global biogeochemistry.


2005 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 303 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. T. Webster ◽  
N. Rea ◽  
A. V. Padovan ◽  
P. Dostine ◽  
S. A. Townsend ◽  
...  

In this paper, the dynamics of primary production in the Daly River in tropical Australia are investigated. We used the diurnal-curve method for both oxygen and pH to calculate photosynthesis and respiration rates as indicators of whole-river productivity. The Daly River has maximum discharges during the summer, monsoonal season. Flow during the dry season is maintained by groundwater discharge via springs. The study investigated how primary production and respiration evolve during the period of low flow in the river (April–November). The relationship between primary production and the availability of light and nutrients enabled the role of these factors to be assessed in a clear, oligotrophic tropical river. The measured rate of photosynthesis was broadly consistent with the estimated mass of chlorophyll associated with the main primary producers in the river (phytoplankton, epibenthic algae, macroalgae, macrophytes). A significant result of the analysis is that during the time that plant biomass re-established after recession of the flows, net primary production proved to be ~4% of the rate of photosynthesis. This result and the observed low-nutrient concentrations in the river suggest a tight coupling between photosynthetic fixation of carbon and the microbial degradation of photosynthetic products comprising plant material and exudates.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 767 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel M. Alongi

Mangroves and salt marshes are among the most productive ecosystems in the global coastal ocean. Mangroves store more carbon (739 Mg CORG ha−1) than salt marshes (334 Mg CORG ha−1), but the latter sequester proportionally more (24%) net primary production (NPP) than mangroves (12%). Mangroves exhibit greater rates of gross primary production (GPP), aboveground net primary production (AGNPP) and plant respiration (RC), with higher PGPP/RC ratios, but salt marshes exhibit greater rates of below-ground NPP (BGNPP). Mangroves have greater rates of subsurface DIC production and, unlike salt marshes, exhibit active microbial decomposition to a soil depth of 1 m. Salt marshes release more CH4 from soil and creek waters and export more dissolved CH4, but mangroves release more CO2 from tidal waters and export greater amounts of particulate organic carbon (POC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), to adjacent waters. Both ecosystems contribute only a small proportion of GPP, RE (ecosystem respiration) and NEP (net ecosystem production) to the global coastal ocean due to their small global area, but contribute 72% of air–sea CO2 exchange of the world’s wetlands and estuaries and contribute 34% of DIC export and 17% of DOC + POC export to the world’s coastal ocean. Thus, both wetland ecosystems contribute disproportionately to carbon flow of the global coastal ocean.


1998 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 375-389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott J Goetz ◽  
Stephen D Prince

Variability in carbon exchange, net primary production (NPP), and light-use efficiency were explored for 63 boreal forest stands in northeastern Minnesota using an ecophysiological model. The model was initialized with extensive field measurements of Populus tremuloides Michx. and Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP stand properties. The results showed that the proportion of total carbon assimilation expended in autotrophic respiration (i.e., the respiration to assimilation ratio, R/A) was significantly different for the two tree species and this explained much of the variability in the amount of net production per unit absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (APAR), referred to as PAR utilization ( epsilonn). This is the first known study to directly link variability in respiratory costs to epsilonn. Total assimilation per unit APAR ( epsilong) was much less variable than epsilonn and was not significantly different between species. Greater stomatal control on some moisture stressed sites accounted for most of the variability in epsilong. The lack of a simple relationship between light harvesting and net carbon gain indicates that estimation of net primary production with satellite remote sensing requires additional information on respiration costs; however, evidence for convergence in epsilong can be used to simplify the remote sensing of gross primary production over large areas.


2010 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 850-860 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Chiesi ◽  
M. Moriondo ◽  
F. Maselli ◽  
L. Gardin ◽  
L. Fibbi ◽  
...  

Simulating the effects of possible environmental changes on the forest carbon budget requires the use of calibrated and tested models of ecosystem processes. A recently proposed simulation approach based on the use of the BIOME-BGC model was applied to yield estimates of present carbon fluxes and pools in Tuscany forests (central Italy). After the validation of these estimates against existing ground data, the simulation approach was used to assess the impact of plausible climate changes (+2 °C and increased CO2 concentration) on forest carbon dynamics (gross primary production (GPP), net primary production (NPP), and relevant allocations). The results indicate that the temperature change tends to inhibit all production and allocation processes, which are instead enhanced by the CO2 concentration rise. The combination of the two factors leads to a general increase in both GPP and NPP that is higher for deciduous oaks and chestnut (+30% and 24% for GPP and +42% and 31% for NPP, respectively). Additionally, vegetation carbon is slightly increased, while total soil carbon remains almost unchanged with respect to the present conditions. These findings are analyzed with reference to the Tuscany forest situation and previous studies on the subject.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hana Jurikova ◽  
Osamu Abe ◽  
Fuh-Kwo Shiah ◽  
Mao-Chang Liang

Abstract. South China Sea (SCS), world’s largest marginal sea, plays an important role in the global as well as regional biogeochemical cycling of carbon and oxygen. However, its overall metabolic balance, primary production rates, and their link to East Asian Monsoon forcing still remain poorly constrained. Here, we report seasonal trends in triple oxygen isotope composition (17Δ) of dissolved O2, a tracer for biological O2, gross primary production (GP; inferred from δ17O and δ18O values), and net community production (NP; evaluated from oxygen–argon ratios) from the SouthEast Asian Time-series Study (SEATS) in SCS. Our results suggest stable mixed-layer GP rates of 1.8 g C m−2 d−1 and NP of −0.02 g C m−2 d−1 during the summer southwest monsoon, indicating the prevalence of net heterotrophy. During winter months characterised by stronger northeast monsoon forcing, the system is more dynamic with variable production rates, which may shift the metabolism from net heterotrophy to net autotrophy (NP up to ~0.15 g C  m−2 d−1). These findings underscore the importance of monsoon intensity on tilting the carbon balance from source to sink in a warm oligotrophic sea, and on driving the regional circulation pattern. Finally, our data from the deeper regions show that SCS circulation is strongly affected by monsoon wind forcing, with a larger part of the water column down to at least 400 m depth fully exchanged during a winter, suggesting the 17Δ of deep O2 as a valuable novel conservative tracer for probing mixing processes from a new perspective.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qianyu Li ◽  
Xingjie Lu ◽  
Yingping Wang ◽  
Xin Huang ◽  
Peter M. Cox ◽  
...  

Abstract. The concentration-carbon feedback factor (β), also called the CO2 fertilization effect, is a key unknown in climate-carbon cycle projections. A better understanding of model mechanisms that govern terrestrial ecosystem responses to elevated CO2 is urgently needed to enable a more accurate prediction of future terrestrial carbon sink. We calculated CO2 fertilization effects at various hierarchical levels from leaf biochemical reaction, leaf photosynthesis, canopy gross primary production (GPP), net primary production (NPP), to ecosystem carbon storage (cpool), for seven C3 vegetation types in response to increasing CO2 under RCP 8.5 scenario, using the Community Atmosphere Biosphere Land Exchange model (CABLE). Our results show that coefficient of variation (CV) for the CABLE model among the seven vegetation types is 0.15–0.13 for the biochemical level β, 0.13–0.16 for the leaf-level β, 0.48 for the βGPP, 0.45 for the βNPP, and 0.58 for the βcpool. The low variation of the leaf-level β is consistent with a theoretical analysis that leaf photosynthetic sensitivity to increasing CO2 concentration is almost an invariant function. In CABLE, the major jump in CV of β values from leaf- to canopy- and ecosystem-levels results from divergence in modelled leaf area index (LAI) within and among the vegetation types. The correlations of βGPP, βNPP, or βcpool with βLAI are very high in CABLE. Overall, our results indicate that modelled LAI is a key factor causing the divergence in β values in CABLE model. It is therefore urgent to constrain processes that regulate LAI dynamics in order to better represent the response of ecosystem productivity to increasing CO2 in Earth System Models.


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