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Response Of Carbon Fluxes To Water Relations In A Savanna Ecosystem In South Africa, W. L. Kutsch, N. Hanan, B. Scholes, I. Mchugh, W. Kubheka, H. Eckhardt, Christopher A. Williams

Geography

The principal mechanisms that connect carbon fluxes with water relations in savanna ecosystems were studied by using eddy covariance method in a savanna ecosystem at Kruger National Park, South Africa. Since the annual drought and rewetting cycle is a major factor influencing the function of savanna ecosystems, this work focused on the close inter-connection between water relations and carbon fluxes. Data from a nine-month measuring campaign lasting from the early wet season to the late dry season were used.

Total ecosystem respiration showed highest values at the onset of the growing season, a slightly lower plateau during the main part …