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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2025-01-01
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| author | Yongxin Tian Zhangwen Liu Yanwei Fan Yongyuan Li Hu Tao Chuntan Han Xinmao Ao Rensheng Chen |
| author_facet | Yongxin Tian Zhangwen Liu Yanwei Fan Yongyuan Li Hu Tao Chuntan Han Xinmao Ao Rensheng Chen |
| author_sort | Yongxin Tian |
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| description | 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. |
| format | Article |
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| language | English |
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| series | Plants |
| spelling | doaj-art-aa08f4bdea2e4eff91cc755c04bd9ca82025-01-24T13:46:32ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472025-01-0114215510.3390/plants14020155Patterns and Drivers of Surface Energy Flux in the Alpine Meadow Ecosystem in the Qilian Mountains, Northwest ChinaYongxin Tian0Zhangwen Liu1Yanwei Fan2Yongyuan Li3Hu Tao4Chuntan Han5Xinmao Ao6Rensheng Chen7College of Energy and Power Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou 730050, ChinaKey Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, ChinaCollege of Energy and Power Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou 730050, ChinaQilian Forestry and Grassland Administration, Haibei 810200, ChinaQilian Forestry and Grassland Administration, Haibei 810200, ChinaKey Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, ChinaKey Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, ChinaKey Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, ChinaAlpine 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.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/2/155alpine meadowradiation balanceenergy fluxenergy partitioning |
| spellingShingle | Yongxin Tian Zhangwen Liu Yanwei Fan Yongyuan Li Hu Tao Chuntan Han Xinmao Ao Rensheng Chen Patterns and Drivers of Surface Energy Flux in the Alpine Meadow Ecosystem in the Qilian Mountains, Northwest China Plants alpine meadow radiation balance energy flux energy partitioning |
| title | Patterns and Drivers of Surface Energy Flux in the Alpine Meadow Ecosystem in the Qilian Mountains, Northwest China |
| title_full | Patterns and Drivers of Surface Energy Flux in the Alpine Meadow Ecosystem in the Qilian Mountains, Northwest China |
| title_fullStr | Patterns and Drivers of Surface Energy Flux in the Alpine Meadow Ecosystem in the Qilian Mountains, Northwest China |
| title_full_unstemmed | Patterns and Drivers of Surface Energy Flux in the Alpine Meadow Ecosystem in the Qilian Mountains, Northwest China |
| title_short | Patterns and Drivers of Surface Energy Flux in the Alpine Meadow Ecosystem in the Qilian Mountains, Northwest China |
| title_sort | patterns and drivers of surface energy flux in the alpine meadow ecosystem in the qilian mountains northwest china |
| topic | alpine meadow radiation balance energy flux energy partitioning |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/2/155 |
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