| Summary: | Aims: Recent studies have recognized the alpine grasslands on the Qinghai–Tibetan plateau as a significant sink for atmospheric CO2. The carbon-sink strength may differ among grassland ecosystems at various altitudes because of contrasting biotic and physical environments. This study aims (i) to clarify the altitudinal pattern of ecosystem CO2 fluxes, including gross primary production (GPP), daytime ecosystem respiration (Redaytime) and net ecosystem production (NEP), during the period with peak above-ground biomass; and (ii) to elucidate the effects of biotic and abiotic factors on the altitudinal variation of ecosystem CO2 fluxes. Methods: Ecosystem CO2 fluxes and abiotic and biotic environmental factors were measured in an alpine grassland at four altitudes from 3600 to 4200 m along a slope of the Qilian Mountains on the northwestern Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau during the growing season of 2007. We used a closed-chamber method combined with shade screens and an opaque cloth to measure several carbon fluxes, GPP, Redaytime and NEP, and factors, light-response curve for GPP and temperature sensitivity of Redaytime. Above- and below-ground biomasses and soil C and N contents at each measurement point were also measured. Important Findings: (i) Altitudinal pattern of ecosystem CO2 fluxes: The maximum net ecosystem CO2 flux (NEPmax), i.e. the potential ecosystem CO2 sink strength, was markedly different among the four altitudes. NEPmax was higher at the highest and lowest sites, approximately –7.4 ± 0.9 and –6.7 ± 0.6 μmol CO2 m–2 s–1 (mean ± standard error), respectively, but smaller at the intermediate altitude sites (3800 and 4000 m). The altitudinal pattern of maximum gross primary production was similar to that of NEPmax. The Redaytime, however, was significantly higher at the lowest altitude (3.4 ± 0.3 μmol CO2 m–2 s–1) than at the other three altitudes. (ii) Altitudinal variation of vegetation biomass: The above-ground biomass was higher at the highest altitude (154 ± 27 g DW m–2) than at the other altitudes, ...
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