Effect of diffuse fraction on gross primary productivity and light use efficiency in a warm-temperate mixed plantation

Diffuse radiation (I (f)) is one of important variables determining photosynthetic rate and carbon uptake of forest ecosystems. However, the responses of gross primary productivity (GPP) and light use efficiency (LUE) to diffuse fraction (DF) are still poorly understood. We used a 6-year dataset of carbon flux at a warm-temperate mixed plantation site in North China to explore the impacts of DF on GPP and LUE. During 2011-2017, ecosystem apparent quantum yield (α) and photosynthesis at photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) of 1800 µmol m(-2) s(-1) (P (1800)) on cloudy days were 63% and 17% higher than on clear days, respectively. Under lower vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and air temperature (T (a)) conditions, canopy photosynthesis was significantly higher on cloudy skies than on clear skies. On half-hourly scale, increased DF enhanced α and P (1800). Daily GPP peaked at a median DF (=0.5), while daily LUE significantly increased with DF (p<0.01). Both GPP and LUE were mainly controlled directly by DF and PAR. DF had an indirect effect on LUE and GPP mainly through PAR. At high DF levels (>0.5), the increase in LUE did not make GPP enhancement. The direct effect of DF on GPP and LUE under lower T (a) and VPD was more sensitive than under higher T (a) and VPD. When DF was incorporated into the Michaelis-Menten model, it performed well in the GPP estimation, and the determination coefficient increased by 32.61% and the root mean square error decreased by 25.74%. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating DF into carbon sequestration estimation in North China.