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

Galvagno, M.; Wohlfahrt, G.; Cremonese, E.; Rossini, M.; Colombo, R.; Filippa, G.; Julitta, T.; Manca, G.; Siniscalco, C.; di Cella, U. Morra; Migliavacca, Mirco

doi:10.1088/1748-9326/8/2/025008

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

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http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/8/2/025008
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Citation

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): 025008. doi:10.1088/1748-9326/8/2/025008.

Cite as: https://hdl.handle.net/11858/00-001M-0000-0027-C16F-6

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.