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Weather during the growing season affect photosynthesis and evapotranspiration in the cowberry-lichen pine forest of the middle taiga subzone

S.V. Zagirova, M.N. Miglovets, R.G. Guluaev

Section: Ecology and climate change

Ecosystem CO₂ and H₂O fluxes were measured during the growing season using the turbulent pulsation method in a cowberry-lichen pine forest in the Pechora-Ilych Nature Reserve in 2021–2023. Temperature and humidity determined interannual differences in gross ecosystem photosynthesis (GEP) and evapotranspiration (ET). Total ET in May–August of different observation years ranged from 139–240 kg H₂O/m², while total GEP ranged from 1.7–2.4 kg CO₂/m₂. Ecosystem CO₂ and H₂O fluxes decreased with increasing vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and precipitation shortages in summer. Increased soil moisture in the first half of the growing season offset the negative impact of summer precipitation deficits on photosynthesis and evapotranspiration. A nonlinear relationship was established between average daily GEPand ET values. Water use efficiency (WUE) for photosynthesis in the cowberry-lichen pine forest varied between 7 and 16 mg CO₂/g H₂O across years. Balanced CO₂ and H₂O fluxes determined insignificant variations of WUE throughout the season. The results of long-term observations can be used to verify existing climate models and predict changes in carbon cycle in taiga forests during extreme weather events in the region.

Keywords: cowberry-lichen pine forest, gross ecosystem photosynthesis, evapotranspiration, water use efficiency for photosynthesis

Article published in number 2 for 2026
DOI: 10.25750/1995-4301-2026-2-219-228

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