Temporal variations and driving mechanisms of carbon and water fluxes in desert photovoltaic ecosystems

Hang Chen, Wei Wu, Chen Li, Gang Lu, Deli Ye, Chao Ma, Lei Ren and Guodong Li

Renewable Energy, 2025, vol. 242, issue C

Abstract: Under the influence of large-scale desert photovoltaic development, a distinctive desert photovoltaic ecosystem (DPES) emerges through interactions between biological communities and inorganic environments. Clarifying these dynamic characteristics of carbon‒water flux in DPES is essential for achieving the objectives of carbon balance. This study utilizes continuous monitoring of net ecosystem carbon exchange (NEE) and water flux (WF) in Gonghe DPES. It incorporates various environmental factors, including net radiation (Rn), vapor pressure (VAP), air humidity (RH), soil temperature (Ts), soil moisture content (SWC), wind speed (WS), and atmospheric pressure (AP), to analyse changes in carbon‒water flux characteristics and their regulatory mechanisms. Results indicate that DPES function as carbon dioxide sinks with an average NEE of −56.55 g C m−2a−1 and an average WF of 243.02 kg m−2a−1. NEE and WF displayed similar temporal patterns. During the growing season (May–October), both NEE and WF maintained relatively high levels. Rn, SWC, and VAP were the primary controlling factors influencing changes in carbon–water flux with explanatory rates of 71 % for NEE and 83 % for WF. In addition, owing to the regulation of vegetation physiology and effects of drought and other processes, the response of carbon and water fluxes to Rn, SWC, and VAP is inhibited.

Keywords: Desert photovoltaic ecosystem; Carbon-water flux; Temporal variation; Key environmental factors; Analysis of regulatory pathways (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:renene:v:242:y:2025:i:c:s0960148125001466

DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2025.122484

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