Patterns and Drivers of Surface Energy Flux in the Alpine Meadow Ecosystem in the Qilian Mountains, Northwest China

Patterns and Drivers of Surface Energy Flux in the Alpine Meadow Ecosystem in the Qilian Mountains, Northwest China

Alpine meadows are vital ecosystems on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, significantly contributing to water conservation and climate regulation. This study examines the energy flux patterns and their driving factors in the alpine meadows of the Qilian Mountains, focusing on how the meteorological variable...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yongxin Tian, Zhangwen Liu, Yanwei Fan, Yongyuan Li, Hu Tao, Chuntan Han, Xinmao Ao, Rensheng Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Plants
Subjects:
alpine meadow
radiation balance
energy flux
energy partitioning
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/2/155
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Summary:Alpine meadows are vital ecosystems on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, significantly contributing to water conservation and climate regulation. This study examines the energy flux patterns and their driving factors in the alpine meadows of the Qilian Mountains, focusing on how the meteorological variables of net radiation (<i>R<sub>n</sub></i>), air temperature, vapor pressure deficit (<i>VPD</i>), wind speed (<i>U</i>), and soil water content (<i>SWC</i>) influence sensible heat flux (<i>H</i>) and latent heat flux (<i>LE</i>). Using the Bowen ratio energy balance method, we monitored energy changes during the growing and non-growing seasons from 2022 to 2023. The annual average daily <i>R<sub>n</sub></i> was 85.29 W m<sup>−2</sup>, with <i>H</i>, <i>LE</i>, and <i>G</i> accounting for 0.56, 0.71, and −0.32 of <i>R<sub>n</sub></i>, respectively. Results show that <i>R<sub>n</sub></i> is the main driver of both <i>H</i> and <i>LE</i>, highlighting its crucial role in turbulent flux variations. Additionally, a negative correlation was found between air temperature and <i>H</i>, suggesting that high temperatures may suppress <i>H</i>. A significant positive correlation was observed between soil moisture and <i>LE</i>, further indicating that moist soil conditions enhance <i>LE</i>. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the impact of climate change on energy distribution in alpine meadows and calls for further research on the ecosystem’s dynamic responses to changing climate conditions.
ISSN:2223-7747

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