Seasonality of ecosystem respiration and gross primary production as derived from FLUXNET measurements

Differences in the seasonal pattern of assimilatory and respiratory processes are responsible for divergences in seasonal net carbon exchange among ecosystems. Using FLUXNET data (http://www,eosdis.orni.gov/FLUXNET) we have analyzed seasonal patterns of gross primary productivity (F-GPP), and ecosystem respiration (F-RE) of boreal and temperate, deciduous and coniferous forests, Mediterranean evergreen systems, a rainforest, temperate grasslands, and C-3 and C-4 crops, Based on generalized seasonal patterns classifications of ecosystems into vegetation functional types can he evaluated for use in global productivity and climate change models. The results of this study contribute to our understanding of respiratory costs of assimilated carbon in various ecosystems. Seasonal variability of F-GPP and F-RE of the investigated sites increased in the order tropical temperate conifers, C-3 grassland and crops (5.7-6.9 g C m(-2) per day) > boreal conifers (4.6 g C m(-2) per day). Annual F-GPP and not ecosystem productivity (F-NEP) decreased across climate zones in the order tropical > temperate > boreal, However, the decrease in with latitude was greater than the decrease in F- GPP, indicating a larger contribution of respiratory (especially heterotrophic) processes in boreal systems. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved