Where is the carbon after water fluctuation in riparian zones? Changing from carbon source to carbon sink

Riparian ecosystems are significant hotspots for greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes. However, effects of water level fluctuation on the release or sequestration of GHG in riparian habitats has not been sufficiently addressed. Daily GHG fluxes (carbon dioxide (CO₂), and methane (CH₄)) were recorded along Lijiang River in southwest China using a static closed chamber technique, from April to October in 2014 with varying water levels. The vegetation and soil parameters were simultaneously measured as well. The results showed that average diel gaseous fluxes had significant variation between hours for both CO₂ and CH₄. The water fluctuation significantly affected CO₂ emission from carbon source to carbon sink in both water and terrestrial habitats. The study allowed to identify potential biotic and abiotic drivers in gas release at different temporal scales, and enhanced understandings to gaseous fluxes in inland riparian habitats