By using eddy covariance technique, a year-round (November, 2011-October, 2012) continuous measurement of net ecosystem carbon dioxide exchange (NEE) was conducted in a 4-year old mixed forest plantation in Badaling of Beijing. The forest plantation ecosystem was a net carbon sink in July and August, but a carbon source in the rest months. The monthly net carbon loss and uptake were the largest in April and July, respectively. The annual net ecosystem productivity was (-256 +/- 21) g C x m(-2) x a(-1), in which, the ecosystem respiration was (950 +/- 36) g C x m(-2) x a(-1), and the gross ecosystem productivity was (694 +/- 17) g C x m(-2) x a(-1). The nighttime NEE increased exponentially with the soil temperature at 10 cm depth, with the estimated temperature sensitivity of ecosystem respiration (Q10 ) being 2.2. During the growth season (May-September), the daytime NEE increased with photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) as described by the Michaelis-Menten rectangular hyperbola. The ecosystem quantum yield varied seasonally, ranging from 0.0219 micromol CO2 x micromol(-1) in May to 0.0506 micromol CO2 x micromol(-1) in July. The maximum carbon assimilation rate and the average daytime respiration followed the seasonal trends of PAR and air temperature. In July and August, vapor pressure deficit and soil moisture played a significant role in determining daytime NEE.