scholarly journals Biophysical controls on net ecosystem CO<sub>2</sub> exchange over a semiarid shrubland in northwest China

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (17) ◽  
pp. 4679-4693 ◽  
Author(s):  
X. Jia ◽  
T. S. Zha ◽  
B. Wu ◽  
Y. Q. Zhang ◽  
J. N. Gong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prediction Interval ◽  
Ecosystem Respiration ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
C Sequestration ◽  
Northwest China ◽  
Wide Distribution ◽  
Co2 Exchange ◽  
Co2 Uptake ◽  
Area Index ◽  
C Cycling

Abstract. The carbon (C) cycling in semiarid and arid areas remains largely unexplored, despite the wide distribution of drylands globally. Rehabilitation practices have been carried out in many desertified areas, but information on the C sequestration capacity of recovering vegetation is still largely lacking. Using the eddy-covariance technique, we measured the net ecosystem CO2 exchange (NEE) over a recovering shrub ecosystem in northwest China throughout 2012 in order to (1) quantify NEE and its components and to (2) examine the dependence of C fluxes on biophysical factors at multiple timescales. The annual budget showed a gross ecosystem productivity (GEP) of 456 g C m−2 yr−1 (with a 90% prediction interval of 449–463 g C m−2 yr−1) and an ecosystem respiration (Re) of 379 g C m−2 yr−1 (with a 90% prediction interval of 370–389 g C m−2 yr−1), resulting in a net C sink of 77 g C m−2 yr−1 (with a 90% prediction interval of 68–87 g C m−2 yr−1). The maximum daily NEE, GEP and Re were −4.7, 6.8 and 3.3 g C m−2 day−1, respectively. Both the maximum C assimilation rate (i.e., at the optimum light intensity) and the quantum yield varied over the growing season, being higher in summer and lower in spring and autumn. At the half-hourly scale, water deficit exerted a major control over daytime NEE, and interacted with other stresses (e.g., heat and photoinhibition) in constraining C fixation by the vegetation. Low soil moisture also reduced the temperature sensitivity of Re (Q10). At the synoptic scale, rain events triggered immediate pulses of C release from the ecosystem, followed by peaks of CO2 uptake 1–2 days later. Over the entire growing season, leaf area index accounted for 45 and 65% of the seasonal variation in NEE and GEP, respectively. There was a linear dependence of daily Re on GEP, with a slope of 0.34. These results highlight the role of abiotic stresses and their alleviation in regulating C cycling in the face of an increasing frequency and intensity of extreme climatic events.

scholarly journals Biophysical controls on net ecosystem CO<sub>2</sub> exchange over a semiarid shrubland in northwest China

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 5089-5122 ◽  
Author(s):  
X. Jia ◽  
T. S. Zha ◽  
B. Wu ◽  
Y. Q. Zhang ◽  
J. N. Gong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Respiration ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
C Sequestration ◽  
Northwest China ◽  
Wide Distribution ◽  
Co2 Exchange ◽  
Co2 Uptake ◽  
Area Index ◽  
C Cycling ◽  
Sequestration Potential

Abstract. The carbon (C) cycling in semiarid and arid areas remains largely unexplored, despite the wide distribution of drylands globally. Rehabilitation practices have been carried out in many desertified areas, but information on the C sequestration potential of recovering vegetation is still largely lacking. Using the eddy-covariance technique, we measured the net ecosystem CO2 exchange (NEE) over a recovering shrub ecosystem in northwest China throughout 2012 in order to (1) quantify NEE and its components, (2) examine the dependence of C fluxes on biophysical factors at multiple timescales. The annual budget showed a gross ecosystem productivity (GEP) of 456 ± 8 g C m−2 yr−1 and an ecosystem respiration (Re) of 379 ± 3 g C m−2 yr−1, resulting in a net C sink of 77 ± 7 g C m−2 yr−1. The maximum daily NEE, GEP and Re were −4.7, 6.8 and 3.3 g C m−2 day−1, respectively. Both the maximum C assimilation rate (i.e., at optimum light intensity) and the quantum yield varied strongly over the growing season, being higher in summer and lower in spring and autumn. At the half-hourly scale, water stress exerted a major control over daytime NEE, and interacted with heat stress and photoinhibition in constraining C fixation by the vegetation. Low soil moisture also reduced the temperature sensitivity of Re (Q10). At the synoptic scale, rain events triggered immediate pulses of C release from the ecosystem, followed by peaks of CO2 uptake 1–2 days later. Over the entire growing season, leaf area index accounted for 45 and 65% of the seasonal variation in NEE and GEP, respectively. There was a linear dependence of daily Re on GEP, with a slope of 0.34. These results highlight the role of abiotic stresses and their alleviation in regulating C cycling in the face of an increasing frequency and intensity of extreme climatic events.

scholarly journals Inter-annual variation of carbon uptake by a plantation oak woodland in south-eastern England

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 9667-9710 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Wilkinson ◽  
E. L. Eaton ◽  
M. S. J. Broadmeadow ◽  
J. I. L. Morison
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Balance ◽  
Forest Canopy ◽  
Annual Variation ◽  
Ecosystem Respiration ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Co2 Uptake ◽  
Operophtera Brumata ◽  
Area Index ◽  
Growing Season Length ◽  
Net Co2 Uptake

Abstract. The carbon balance of an 80 yr old deciduous oak plantation in the temperate oceanic climate of the south-east of Britain was measured by eddy covariance over 12 yr (1999–2010). The mean annual net ecosystem productivity (NEP) was 486 g C m−2 y−1 (95% CI of ±73 g C m−2 y−1), and this was partitioned into a Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) of 2034 ± 145 g C m−2 y−1, over a 165 (±6) day growing season, and an annual loss of carbon through respiration and decomposition (ecosystem respiration, Reco) of 1548 ± 122 g C m−2 y−1. The interannual variation of NEP was large (coefficient of variation (CV) 23%), although the variation for GPP and Reco was smaller (12%) and the ratio of Reco/GPP was relatively constant (0.76 ± 0.02 CI). Some anomalies in the annual patterns of the carbon balance could be linked to particular combinations of anomalous weather events, such as high summer air temperature and low soil moisture content. The Europe-wide heat-wave and drought of 2003 had little effect on the C balance of this woodland on a surface water gley soil. Annual variation in precipitation (CV 18%) was not a main factor in the variation in NEP. The inter-annual variation in estimated intercepted radiation only accounted for ~ 47% of the variation in GPP, although a significant relationship (p<0.001) was found between peak leaf area index and annual GPP which in turn played an important role in modifying the efficiency with which incident radiation was used in net CO2 uptake. Whilst the spring start and late autumn end of the net CO2 uptake period varied substantially (range of 24 and 27 days, respectively), annual GPP was not related to growing season length. Severe outbreaks of defoliating moth caterpillars, mostly Tortrix viridana L. and Operophtera brumata L., caused considerable damage to the forest canopy in 2009 and 2010, resulting in reduced GPP in these years.

scholarly journals Can land degradation drive differences in the C exchange of two similar semiarid ecosystems?

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 263-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana López-Ballesteros ◽  
Cecilio Oyonarte ◽  
Andrew S. Kowalski ◽  
Penélope Serrano-Ortiz ◽  
Enrique P. Sánchez-Cañete ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vadose Zone ◽  
Land Degradation ◽  
Ecosystem Respiration ◽  
Gross Primary Production ◽  
Co2 Flux ◽  
C Sequestration ◽  
Co2 Exchange ◽  
Striking Difference ◽  
Soil Variables ◽  
Natural Site

Abstract. Currently, drylands occupy more than one-third of the global terrestrial surface and are recognized as areas vulnerable to land degradation. The concept of land degradation stems from the loss of an ecosystem's biological productivity due to long-term loss of natural vegetation or depletion of soil nutrients. Drylands' key role in the global carbon (C) balance has been recently demonstrated, but the effects of land degradation on C sequestration by these ecosystems still need to be investigated. In the present study, we compared net C and water vapor fluxes, together with satellite, meteorological and vadose zone (CO2, water content and temperature) measurements, between two nearby (∼ 23 km) experimental sites representing “natural” (i.e., site of reference) and “degraded” grazed semiarid grasslands. We utilized data acquired over 6 years from two eddy covariance stations located in southeastern Spain with highly variable precipitation magnitude and distribution. Results show a striking difference in the annual C balances with an average net CO2 exchange of 196 ± 40 (C release) and −23 ± 2 g C m−2 yr−1 (C fixation) for the degraded and natural sites, respectively. At the seasonal scale, differing patterns in net CO2 fluxes were detected over both growing and dry seasons. As expected, during the growing seasons, greater net C uptake over longer periods was observed at the natural site. However, a much greater net C release, probably derived from subterranean ventilation, was measured at the degraded site during drought periods. After subtracting the nonbiological CO2 flux from net CO2 exchange, flux partitioning results point out that, during the 6 years of study, gross primary production, ecosystem respiration and water use efficiency were, on average, 9, 2 and 10 times higher, respectively, at the natural site versus the degraded site. We also tested differences in all monitored meteorological and soil variables and CO2 at 1.50 m belowground was the variable showing the greatest intersite difference, with ∼ 1000 ppm higher at the degraded site. Thus, we believe that subterranean ventilation of this vadose zone CO2, previously observed at both sites, partly drives the differences in C dynamics between them, especially during the dry season. It may be due to enhanced subsoil–atmosphere interconnectivity at the degraded site.

scholarly journals Bulk partitioning the growing season net ecosystem exchange of CO<sub>2</sub> in Siberian tundra reveals the seasonality of its carbon sequestration strength

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 13713-13742 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. R. K. Runkle ◽  
T. Sachs ◽  
C. Wille ◽  
E.-M. Pfeiffer ◽  
L. Kutzbach
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Sink ◽  
Ecosystem Respiration ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
New Method ◽  
Apparent Temperature ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Co2 Uptake ◽  
Night Time ◽  
Tundra Ecosystem ◽  
Co2 Sink

Abstract. This paper evaluates the relative contribution of light and temperature on net ecosystem CO2 uptake during the 2006 growing season in a~polygonal tundra ecosystem in the Lena River Delta in Northern Siberia (72°22´ N, 126°30´ E). We demonstrate that the timing of warm periods may be an important determinant of the magnitude of the ecosystem's carbon sink function, as they drive temperature-induced changes in respiration. Hot spells during the early portion of the growing season are shown to be more influential in creating mid-day surface-to-atmosphere net ecosystem CO2 exchange fluxes than those occurring later in the season. In this work we also develop and present a bulk flux partition model to better account for tundra plant physiology and the specific light conditions of the arctic region that preclude the successful use of traditional partition methods that derive a respiration-temperature relationship from all night-time data. Night-time, growing season measurements are rare during the arctic summer, however, so the new method allows for temporal variation in the parameters describing both ecosystem respiration and gross uptake by fitting both processes at the same time. Much of the apparent temperature sensitivity of respiration seen in the traditional partition method is revealed in the new method to reflect seasonal changes in basal respiration rates. Understanding and quantifying the flux partition is an essential precursor to describing links between assimilation and respiration at different time scales, as it allows a more confident evaluation of measured net exchange over a broader range of environmental conditions. The growing season CO2 sink estimated by this study is similar to those reported previously for this site, and is substantial enough to withstand the long, low-level respiratory CO2 release during the rest of the year to maintain the site's CO2 sink function on an annual basis.

scholarly journals Land use affects the net ecosystem CO<sub>2</sub> exchange and its components in mountain grasslands

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. 2297-2309 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Schmitt ◽  
M. Bahn ◽  
G. Wohlfahrt ◽  
U. Tappeiner ◽  
A. Cernusca
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Leaf Area ◽  
Ecosystem Respiration ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Photon Flux ◽  
Area Index ◽  
Growing Season Length ◽  
Mountain Grassland ◽  
Mountain Grasslands ◽  
Land Use And Management

Abstract. Changes in land use and management have been strongly affecting mountain grassland, however, their effects on the net ecosystem exchange of CO2 (NEE) and its components have not yet been well documented. We analysed chamber-based estimates of NEE, gross primary productivity (GPP), ecosystem respiration (R) and light use efficiency (LUE) of six mountain grasslands differing in land use and management, and thus site fertility, for the growing seasons of 2002 to 2008. The main findings of the study are that: (1) land use and management affected seasonal NEE, GPP and R, which all decreased from managed to unmanaged grasslands; (2) these changes were explained by differences in leaf area index (LAI), biomass and leaf-area-independent changes that were likely related to photosynthetic physiology; (3) diurnal variations of NEE were primarily controlled by photosynthetically active photon flux density and soil and air temperature; seasonal variations were associated with changes in LAI; (4) parameters of light response curves were generally closely related to each other, and the ratio of R at a reference temperature/ maximum GPP was nearly constant across the sites; (5) similarly to our study, maximum GPP and R for other grasslands on the globe decreased with decreasing land use intensity, while their ratio remained remarkably constant. We conclude that decreasing intensity of management and, in particular, abandonment of mountain grassland lead to a decrease in NEE and its component processes. While GPP and R are generally closely coupled during most of the growing season, GPP is more immediately and strongly affected by land management (mowing, grazing) and season. This suggests that management and growing season length, as well as their possible future changes, may play an important role for the annual C balance of mountain grassland.

scholarly journals Seasonal variations in carbon dioxide exchange in an alpine wetland meadow on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 9005-9044 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Zhao ◽  
J. Li ◽  
S. Xu ◽  
H. Zhou ◽  
Y. Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Soil Temperature ◽  
Ecosystem Respiration ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Rain Event ◽  
Area Index ◽  
Alpine Wetland ◽  
Yearly Average

Abstract. The unique climate of the alpine wetland meadow is characterized by long cold winters and short cool summers with relatively high precipitation. These factors shorten the growing season for vegetation to approximately 150 to 165 days and prolong the dormant period to almost 7 months. Understanding how environmental variables affect the processes that regulate carbon flux in alpine wetland meadow on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau is critical important because alpine wetland meadow plays a key role in the carbon cycle of the entire plateau. To address this issue, Gross Primary Production (GPP), Ecosystem Respiration (Reco), and Net Ecosystem CO2 Exchange (NEE) were examined for an alpine wetland meadow at the Haibei Research Station of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The measurements covered three years and were made using the eddy covariance method. Seasonal trends of both GPP and Reco, followed closely changes in Leaf Area Index (LAI). Reco, exhibited the same exponential variation as soil temperature with seasonally-dependent R10 (the ecosystem respiration rate (μmol CO2 m−2 s−1) at the soil temperature reach 283.16 K (10°C)). Yearly average GPP, Reco, and NEE (which were 575.7, 676.8 and 101.1 gCm−2, respectively, for 2004 year, and 682.9, 726.4 and 44.0 gCm−2 for 2005 year, and 630.97, 808.2 and 173.2 gCm−2 for 2006 year) values indicated that the alpine wetland meadow was a moderately important source of CO2. The observed carbon dioxide fluxes in this alpine wetland meadow plateau are high in comparison with other alpine meadow environments such as Kobresia humilis meadow and shrubland meadow located in similar areas. And the cumulative NEE data indicated that the alpine wetland meadow is a source of atmospheric CO2 during the study years. CO2 emissions are large on elevated microclimatology areas on the meadow floor regardless of temperature. Furthermore, relatively low Reco, levels occurred during the non-growing season after a late rain event. This result is contradicted observations in alpine shrubland meadow. The timing of rain events had more impact on ecosystem GPP and NEE.

scholarly journals Influence of the Asian Monsoon on net ecosystem carbon exchange in two major plant functional types in Korea

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 10279-10309 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Kwon ◽  
J. Kim ◽  
J. Hong
Keyword(s):  
Summer Monsoon ◽  
Carbon Sink ◽  
Ecosystem Respiration ◽  
Gross Primary Production ◽  
Co2 Exchange ◽  
Plant Functional Types ◽  
Net Ecosystem Co2 Exchange ◽  
Area Index ◽  
Functional Types ◽  
Net Ecosystem Carbon Exchange

Abstract. Considering the feedback loops in radiation, temperature, and soil moisture with alterations in rainfall patterns, the influence of the changing monsoon on net ecosystem CO2 exchange can be critical to the estimation of carbon balance in Asia. In this paper, we examined the eddy covariance CO2 fluxes observed from 2004 to 2008 in two major plant functional types in KoFlux, i.e., the Gwangneung deciduous forest (GDK) site and the Haenam farmland (HFK) site. The objectives of the study were to (1) quantify the net ecosystem CO2 exchange (NEE), ecosystem respiration (RE), and gross primary production (GPP), (2) examine their interannual patterns, and (3) assess the mechanism for the coupling of carbon and water exchange associated with the summer monsoon. The GDK site, which had a maximum leaf area index (LAI) of ~5, was on average a relatively weak carbon sink with NEE of −84 gC m−2 y−1, RE of 1028 gC m−2 y−1, and GPP of 1113 gC m−2 y−1. Despite about 20% larger GPP (of 1321 gC m−2 y−1) in comparison with the GDK site, the HFK site (with the maximum LAI of 3 to 4) was a weaker carbon sink with NEE of −58 gC m−2 y−1 because of greater RE of 1263 gC m−2 y−1. In both sites, the annual patterns of NEE and GPP had a striking "mid-season depression" each year with two distinctive peaks of different timing and magnitude, whereas RE did not. The mid-season depression at the GDK site occurred typically from early June to late August, coinciding with the season of summer monsoon when the solar radiation decreased substantially due to frequent rainfalls and cloudiness. At the HFK site, the mid-season depression began earlier in May and continued until the end of July due to land use management (e.g., crop rotation) in addition to such disturbances as summer monsoon and typhoons. Other flux observation sites in East Asia also show a decline in radiation but with a lesser degree during the monsoon season, resulting in less pronounced depression in NEE. In our study, however, the observed depression in NEE changed the forest and farmland from a carbon sink to a source in the middle of the growing season. Consequently, the annually integrated values of NEE lies on the low end of the range reported in the literature. Such a delicate coupling between carbon and water cycles may turn these ecosystems into a stronger carbon sink with the projected trends of less frequent but more intensive rainfalls in this region.

scholarly journals Can a bog drained for forestry be a stronger carbon sink than a natural bog forest?

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 2189-2226 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Hommeltenberg ◽  
H. P. Schmid ◽  
M. Droesler ◽  
P. Werle
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Fixation ◽  
Carbon Sink ◽  
Ecosystem Respiration ◽  
Net Ecosystem Exchange ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Co2 Exchange ◽  
Co2 Uptake ◽  
Spruce Forest ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Whole Life Cycle

Abstract. This study compares the CO2 exchange of a natural bog forest, and of a bog drained for forestry in the pre-alpine region of southern Germany. The sites are separated by only ten kilometers, they share the same formation history and are exposed to the same climate and weather conditions. In contrast, they differ in land use history: at the Schechenfilz site a natural bog-pine forest (Pinus mugo rotundata) grows on an undisturbed, about 5 m thick peat layer; at Mooseurach a planted spruce forest (Picea abies) grows on drained and degraded peat (3.4 m). The net ecosystem exchange of CO2 (NEE) at both sites has been investigated for two years (July 2010 to June 2012), using the eddy covariance technique. Our results indicate that the drained, forested bog at Mooseurach is a much stronger carbon dioxide sink (−130 ± 31 and −300 ± 66 g C m−2 a−1 in the first and second year respectively) than the natural bog forest at Schechenfilz (−53 ± 28 and −73±38 g C m−2 a−1). The strong net CO2 uptake can be explained by the high gross primary productivity of the spruces that over-compensates the two times stronger ecosystem respiration at the drained site. The larger productivity of the spruces can be clearly attributed to the larger LAI of the spruce site. However, even though current flux measurements indicate strong CO2 uptake of the drained spruce forest, the site is a strong net CO2 source, if the whole life-cycle, since forest planting is considered. We determined the difference between carbon fixation by the spruces and the carbon loss from the peat due to drainage since forest planting. The estimate resulted in a strong carbon release of +156 t C ha−1 within the last 44 yr, means the spruces would need to grow for another 100 yr, at the current rate, to compensate the peat loss of the former years. In contrast, the natural bog-pine ecosystem has likely been a small but consistent carbon sink for decades, which our results suggest is very robust regarding short-term changes of environmental factors.

scholarly journals An empirical model simulating long-term diurnal CO<sub>2</sub> flux for diverse vegetation types

2008 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 4001-4034
Author(s):  
M. Saito ◽  
S. Maksyutov ◽  
R. Hirata ◽  
A. D. Richardson
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Model ◽  
Vapor Pressure Deficit ◽  
Ecosystem Respiration ◽  
Co2 Flux ◽  
Co2 Exchange ◽  
Physiological Parameters ◽  
Co2 Uptake ◽  
Diurnal Variability ◽  
Terrestrial Biomes

Abstract. We present an empirical model for the estimation of diurnal variability in net ecosystem CO2 exchange (NEE). The model is based on the use of a nonrectangular hyperbola for photosynthetic response of canopy and was constructed by using a dataset obtained from the AmeriFlux network and containing continuous eddy covariance CO2 flux from 26 ecosystems over seven biomes. The model uses simplified empirical expression of seasonal variability in biome-specific physiological parameters with air temperature, vapor pressure deficit, and precipitation. The physiological parameters of maximum CO2 uptake rate by the canopy and ecosystem respiration had biome-specific responses to environmental variables. The estimated physiological parameters had reasonable magnitudes and seasonal variation and gave reasonable timing of the beginning and end of the growing season over various biomes, but they were less satisfactory for disturbed grassland and savanna than for forests. Comparison with observational data revealed that the diurnal cycle of NEE was generally well predicted all year round by the model. The model gave satisfactory results even for tundra, which had very small amplitudes of NEE variability. These results suggest that this model with biome-specific parameters will be applicable to numerous terrestrial biomes, particularly forest ones.

Global-Scale Impact of Human Nitrogen Fixation on Greenhouse Gas Emissions

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wim De Vries ◽  
Enzai Du ◽  
Klaus Butterbach Bahl ◽  
Lena Schulte Uebbing ◽  
Frank Dentener
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Agricultural Soils ◽  
C Sequestration ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Co2 Exchange ◽  
N2o Emissions ◽  
N Fixation ◽  
Co2 Uptake ◽  
Gas Emissions

Human activities have rapidly accelerated global nitrogen (N) cycling since the late 19th century. This acceleration has manifold impacts on ecosystem N and carbon (C) cycles, and thus on emissions of the greenhouse gases nitrous oxide (N2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), and methane (CH4), which contribute to climate change. First, elevated N use in agriculture leads to increased direct N2O emissions. Second, it leads to emissions of ammonia (NH3), nitric oxide (NO), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and leaching of nitrate (NO3−), which cause indirect N2O emissions from soils and waterbodies. Third, N use in agriculture may also cause changes in CO2 exchange (emission or uptake) in agricultural soils due to N fertilization (direct effect) and in non-agricultural soils due to atmospheric NHx (NH3+NH4) deposition (indirect effect). Fourth, NOx (NO+NO2) emissions from combustion processes and from fertilized soils lead to elevated NOy (NOx+ other oxidized N) deposition, further affecting CO2 exchange. As most (semi-) natural terrestrial ecosystems and aquatic ecosystems are N limited, human-induced atmospheric N deposition usually increases net primary production (NPP) and thus stimulates C sequestration. NOx emissions, however, also induce tropospheric ozone (O3) formation, and elevated O3 concentrations can lead to a reduction of NPP and plant C sequestration. The impacts of human N fixation on soil CH4 exchange are insignificant compared to the impacts on N2O and CO2 exchange (emissions or uptake). Ignoring shorter lived components and related feedbacks, the net impact of human N fixation on climate thus mainly depends on the magnitude of the cooling effect of CO2 uptake as compared to the magnitude of the warming effect of (direct and indirect) N2O emissions. The estimated impact of human N fixation on N2O emission is 8.0 (7.0–9.0) Tg N2O-N yr−1, which is equal 1.02 (0.89–1.15) Pg CO2-C equivalents (eq) yr−1. The estimated CO2 uptake due to N inputs to terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems equals −0.75 (−0.56 to −0.97) Pg CO2-C eq yr−1. At present, the impact of human N fixation on increased CO2 sequestration thus largely (on average near 75%) compensates the stimulating effect on N2O emissions. In the long term, however, effects on ecosystem CO2 sequestration are likely to diminish due to growth limitations by other nutrients such as phosphorus. Furthermore, N-induced O3 exposure reduces CO2 uptake, causing a net C loss at 0.14 (0.07–0.21) Pg CO2-C eq yr−1. Consequently, human N fixation causes an overall increase in net greenhouse gas emissions from global ecosystems, which is estimated at 0.41 (−0.01–0.80) Pg CO2-C eq yr−1. Even when considering all uncertainties, it is likely that human N inputs lead to a net increase in global greenhouse gas emissions. These estimates are based on most recent science and modeling approaches with respect to: (i) N inputs to various ecosystems, including NH3 and NOx emission estimates and related atmospheric N (NH3 and NOx) deposition and O3 exposure; (ii) N2O emissions in response to N inputs; and (iii) carbon exchange in responses to N inputs (C–N response) and O3 exposure (C–O3 response), focusing on the global scale. Apart from presenting the current knowledge, this article also gives an overview of changes in the estimates of those fluxes and C–N response factors over time, including debates on C–N responses in literature, the uncertainties in the various estimates, and the potential for improving them.

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