Data

This dataset contains soil properties data, vegetation traits data, ecosystem carbon exchange in a field water level experiment established at the Yellow River Delta Ecological Experiment Station of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

We discuss the role of water levels in regulating the threshold of wetland carbon sink function. First, we discuss how changes in water levels affect soil properties and plant growth. In addition, the variation of ecosystem net exchange of carbon dioxide (NEE) with water level and its seasonal variation were identified. Finally, the role of water level in controlling NEE through soil properties and vegetation characteristics was elaborated.

For the process of data collection: An LGR Ultraportable Greenhouse Gas Analyser (UGGA, Los Gatos Research, Inc., San Jose, USA) was used to measure the net ecosystem CO2 exchange (NEE) and ecosystem respiration (Reco). A portable conductivity meter (Milwaukee Model MW301 EC meter) was utilized to calculate the soil temperature (Tsoil) and electric conductivity (EC). Soil was collected for determination of soil organic carbon, total carbon and total nitrogen in the laboratory. During the growing season, we measured the plant height, coverage and density per m2 in the plots when measuring the Reco and NEE.  Aboveground biomass and belowground biomass data of vegetation were collected using the harvesting method.