Assessing carbon flux through micrometeorological method in a mediterranean grapevine

Agriculture is indicted as both cause and part of the solution of the climate crisis. Increasing quantitative information on the capability of cropping systems to capture atmospheric carbon (C) is pivotal to assess crop ecological functions and services supporting the achievement of common agricultural strategies (e.g., carbon neutrality, Green Deal). The present study reports annual data on C flux measured with eddy covariance (EC) at a commercial vineyard located in Southern Italy. Results show that the seasonal Net Ecosystem Exchange (NEE) reflects phenological stages and environmental conditions. The highest monthly carbon capture (approx. -120 g C m-2 month-1) occurred in July corresponding to the period of maximum vine growth, while NEE was at its minimum or even positive during dormant season. The cumulated NEE reached about -400 g C m-2 per year confirming vineyards might act as C sink. The influence of certain practices (e.g., retention of pruning residues and cover crop) on NEE is discussed.