Summertime CO 2 fluxes from tundra of Ny-Ålesund in the High Arctic

The Arctic ecosystem, especially High Arctic tundra, plays a unique role in the global carbon cycle because of amplified warming in the region. However, relatively little research has been conducted in High Arctic tundra compared with other global ecosystems. In the present work, summertime net ecosystem exchange (NEE), ecosystem respiration (ER), and photosynthesis were investigated at six tundra sites (DM1–DM6) on Ny-Alesund in the High Arctic. NEE at the tundra sites varied between a weak sink and strong source (−3.3 to 19.0 mg CO 2 ∙m -2 ∙h -1 ). ER and gross photosynthesis were 42.8 to 92.9 mg CO 2 ∙m -2 ∙h -1 and 54.7 to 108.7 mg CO 2 ∙m -2 ∙h -1 , respectively. The NEE variations showed a significant correlation with photosynthesis rates, whereas no significant correlation was found with ecosystem respiration, indicating that NEE variations across the region were controlled by differences in net uptake of CO 2 owing to photosynthesis, rather than by variations in ER. A Q 10 value of 1.80 indicated weak temperature sensitivity of tundra ER and its response to future global warming. NEE and gross photosynthesis also showed relatively strong correlations with C/N ratio. The tundra ER, NEE, and gross photosynthesis showed variations over slightly waterlogged wetland tundra, mesic and dry tundra. Overall, soil temperature, nutrients and moisture can be key effects on CO 2 fluxes, ecosystem respiration, and NEE in the High Arctic. Citation: Li F F, Zhu R B, Bao T, et al. Summertime CO2 fluxes from tundra of Ny-Alesund in the High Arctic. Adv Polar Sci, 2017, 28(1): 50-60, doi: 10.13679/j.advps.2017.1.00050