The short-term effect of altered water level on carbon dioxide and methane fluxes in a blanket bog

Anna M. Laine, Kenneth A. Byrne, Gerard Kiely, Eeva Stiina Tuittila

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Peatlands play an important role in the global carbon (C) cycle, by acting as a large, long-term C sink. The C sink is sustained by a high water level that inhibits decomposition of organic matter. The C gas dynamics are therefore sensitive to changes in water level, and in climatically different years a peatland can vary from a sink to a source of C. We measured carbon dioxide (CO 2) and methane (CH 4) fluxes from vegetation communities ranging from hummocks to low lawns in a blanket bog. After a one-year calibration period the water level was both lowered and raised experimentally and the changes in vegetation composition and gas fluxes were monitored during a further year. In all vegetation communities the water level drawdown increased the respiration rate and decreased methane emission; rising water level decreased respiration and increased methane emissions. The effect of altered water level on photosynthesis depended on species composition. Water level drawdown decreased photosynthesis in most communities; rising water level decreased the photosynthesis of hummocks species, and increased the photosynthesis of Rhynchospora alba.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)65-83
Number of pages19
JournalSuo
Volume60
Issue number3-4
Publication statusPublished - 2009

Keywords

  • Drainage
  • Ecohydrology
  • Flooding
  • Methane
  • Peatland
  • Photosynthesis
  • Racomitrium
  • Respiration
  • Rhynchospora alba
  • Sphagnum

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