Diurnal and seasonal variations of energy balance over Horqin meadow

Based on the measurements of eddy flux and micrometeorological factors, this paper analyzed the diurnal and seasonal variations of energy balance over Horqin meadow. The results showed that annual energy balance ratio (EBR) of the eddy covariance system was 0.77, and EBR was biggest in growing season, middle in bare soil period and smallest in snow-covered period. Diurnal variations of energy components all presented bell-shaped curves. The peak of net radiation appeared around 12:00 and peaks of other components slightly lagged. Seasonal variation of net radiation presented a single-peak curve, and the annual average was 5.71 MJ·m^-2·d^-1. Seasonal variation of latent heat flux was similar to that of net radiation, and the annual average was 2.84 MJ·m^-2·d^-1. Seasonal variation of sensible heat flux presented a double-peak curve, and the peaks appeared in April and September, respectively. Annual averaged sensible heat flux was 1.87 MJ·m^-2·d^-1. Maximum soil heat flux (3.47 MJ·m^-2 ·d^-1) appeared in April, and the soil heat flux became negative after September. Annual budget ratios of energy components presented a decreasing order of latent heat flux, sensible heat flux and soil heat flux, which accounted for 49.8%, 35.8% and 3.1% of net radiation, respectively. Seasonal variation of Bowen ratio (β) presented a 'U' shape, and the annual average was 1.61. βwas small (0.18) and relatively stable in growing season, while it was large (2.39) and fluctuated severely in non-growing season.