Changes in snow cover depth and duration predicted by climate change scenarios are expected to strongly affect high-altitude ecosystem processes. This study investigates the effect of an exceptionally short snow season on the phenology and carbon dioxide source/sink strength of a subalpine grassland. An earlier snowmelt of more than one month caused a considerable advancement (40 days) of the beginning of the carbon uptake period (CUP) and, together with a delayed establishment of the snow season in autumn, contributed to a two-month longer CUP. The combined effect of the shorter snow season and the extended CUP led to an increase of about 100% in annual carbon net uptake. Nevertheless, the unusual environmental conditions imposed by the early snowmelt led to changes in canopy structure and functioning, with a reduction of the carbon sequestration rate during the snow-free period.

Galvagno, M., Wohlfahrt, G., Cremonese, E., Rossini, M., Colombo, R., Filippa, G., et al. (2013). Phenology and carbon dioxide source/sink strength of a subalpine grassland in response to an exceptionally short snow season. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS, 8(2) [10.1088/1748-9326/8/2/025008].

Phenology and carbon dioxide source/sink strength of a subalpine grassland in response to an exceptionally short snow season

ROSSINI, MICOL;COLOMBO, ROBERTO;JULITTA, TOMMASO;
2013

Abstract

Changes in snow cover depth and duration predicted by climate change scenarios are expected to strongly affect high-altitude ecosystem processes. This study investigates the effect of an exceptionally short snow season on the phenology and carbon dioxide source/sink strength of a subalpine grassland. An earlier snowmelt of more than one month caused a considerable advancement (40 days) of the beginning of the carbon uptake period (CUP) and, together with a delayed establishment of the snow season in autumn, contributed to a two-month longer CUP. The combined effect of the shorter snow season and the extended CUP led to an increase of about 100% in annual carbon net uptake. Nevertheless, the unusual environmental conditions imposed by the early snowmelt led to changes in canopy structure and functioning, with a reduction of the carbon sequestration rate during the snow-free period.
Articolo in rivista - Articolo scientifico
carbon uptake period, snowmelt, eddy covariance, net ecosystem exchange, extreme events
English
2013
8
2
025008
none
Galvagno, M., Wohlfahrt, G., Cremonese, E., Rossini, M., Colombo, R., Filippa, G., et al. (2013). Phenology and carbon dioxide source/sink strength of a subalpine grassland in response to an exceptionally short snow season. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS, 8(2) [10.1088/1748-9326/8/2/025008].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/43695
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