The alpine meadow ecosystem in Tibet is fragile and sensitive, and its carbon sink function with respect to climate change has become a matter of widespread concern. Therefore, this study aims to clarify the inter-annual variations (IAVs) in the carbon fluxes in an alpine meadow and to further quantify the contributions of the driving factors to the IAVs. Based on 7 years of flux data (2012–2018) and the corresponding climatic and biotic data, a set of look-up tables was used to separate and quantify the IAV sources. Furthermore, linear perturbation analyses were employed to quantify the contributions of each key factor. During 2012–2018, the net ecosystem productivity (NEP), gross primary productivity (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (Re) of this alpine meadow were 3.31 ± 26.90, 210.18 ± 48.35 and 206.88 ± 28.45 g C m⁻² y⁻¹, respectively, which indicated relatively large IAVs. When the contributions of climatic and biotic effects were distinguished and quantified, the dominant effects of biotic factors emerged. Additionally, negative interactions between climatic and biotic effects were detected. Among the climatic factors, only soil water content contributed relatively more to the IAVs and played a role in regulating the interactions between climatic and biotic effects. These results suggest that biotic effects must be carefully considered to reduce the uncertainties associated with future carbon flux estimates.

The increase in atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition has profound effects on soil respiration (SR). However, the responses of SR to the addition of different N compounds, particularly in saline–alkaline grasslands remain unclear. A 3-year controlled field experiment was conducted to investigate the responses of SR to different N compounds (NH₄NO₃, (NH₄)₂SO₄ and NH₄HCO₃) during the growing seasons in a saline–alkaline grassland located in the agro-pastoral ecotone of northern China. Our results demonstrated that SR showed a bimodal pattern and a significant interannual difference that was regulated by air or soil temperature and precipitation. Nitrogen addition had a significant effect on SR, and the effect of N addition on SR varied yearly, which was related to seasonal precipitation. The mean SR across 3 years (2017–2019) was increased by 19.9%, 13.0% and 16.6% with the addition of NH₄NO₃, (NH₄)₂SO₄ and NH₄HCO₃, respectively. The highest effect of NH₄NO₃ addition on SR across 3 years was ascribed to the highest aboveground net primary production, belowground net primary production (BNPP) and soil NO₃⁻ concentrations. SR (C loss) was significantly increased while plant productivity (C input) did not significantly change under NH₄HCO₃ addition, indicating a decrease in C sequestration. In addition, BNPP was the main direct factor influencing SR in this saline–alkaline grassland, and soil salinization (e.g. soil base cations and pH) indirectly affected SR through soil microorganisms. Notably, NH₄NO₃ addition overestimated the response of SR to N addition, and different N compounds should be considered, especially in saline–alkaline grassland.

Fisher discriminant analysis can comprehensively take multiple factors into consideration and effectively conduct separations between two classes. If it can be used to detect the occurrences of drought, drought can be detected more effectively and accurately. Based on 9-year carbon flux and corresponding meteorological data, soil water content (SWC) and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) were selected as the discriminant factors. Drought occurrences were detected by applying the Fisher discriminant analysis method in an alpine ecosystem in Tibet. Fisher discriminant analysis was successfully applied to detect drought occurrence in an alpine meadow ecosystem. The soil water deficit and atmospheric water deficit were comprehensively taken into consideration. Consequently, this method could detect the onset and end date of droughts more accurately and reasonably. Based on the characteristics of drought and non-drought samples, the discriminant equation was constructed as y = 24.46SWC − 4.60VPD. When y > 1, the days were distributed above the critical line. In addition, when y was greater than one for more than 10 days, it was labeled as one drought event. If the interval between two drought processes was less than 2 days, it was considered one drought event. With increasing the study period and continued accumulation of observation data, the discriminant equation could be further optimized in the future, resulting in more accurate drought detection.

The Tibetan Plateau is generally referred to as the Chinese water tower, and evapotranspiration (ET) affects the water budget and stability of alpine meadows on the Tibetan Plateau. However, its variability and controlling mechanisms have not been well documented under the drier conditions induced by global warming. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify whether meteorological or biological factors primarily affected the variability in ET under contrasting water conditions in the alpine meadow ecosystem on the Tibetan Plateau. Based on 6-year (2013–2018) eddy covariance observations and the corresponding meteorological and biological data, linear perturbation analyses were employed to isolate the contributions of meteorological and biological factors to the variability in evapotranspiration (δET). The results showed that δET was mainly driven by meteorological factors in wet peak seasons (July and August), and was dominated by net radiation (Rn) and air temperature (Ta), indicating that the inadequate available energy is the factor limiting ET. However, the dominant factors affecting δET shifted from meteorological to biological in dry peak seasons when the canopy stomatal conductance (gs) and leaf area index were dominant. At this point, the ecosystem was limited by the water conditions. These results provide empirical insights into how meteorological and biological factors regulate variability in ET under contrasting water conditions. These findings can further improve our understanding of water cycle processes and can help effectively manage water resources in alpine meadow ecosystems under future climate change conditions.