Carbon dioxide and methane fluxes in boreal peatland microcosms with different vegetation cover—effects of ozone or ultraviolet-B exposure

O₃ concentrations in the troposphere are rising and those in the stratosphere decreasing, the latter resulting in higher fluxes of solar ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation to the earth's surface. We assessed whether the fluxes of CO₂ and CH₄ are altered by enhanced UV-B radiation or elevated tropospheric O₃ concentrations in boreal peatland microcosms (core depth 40 cm, diameter 10.5 cm) with different vegetation cover. At the end of the UV-B experiment which lasted for a growing season, net CO₂ exchange (NEE) and dark ecosystem respiration (R _TOT) were sevenfold higher, and CH₄ efflux 12-fold higher, in microcosms with intact vegetation dominated by Eriophorum vaginatum L. and Sphagnum spp., compared to microcosms from which we removed E. vaginatum. Vegetation treatment had minor effects on CH₄ production and consumption potentials in the peat, suggesting that the large difference in CH₄ efflux is mainly due to efficient CH₄ transport via the aerenchyma of E. vaginatum. Ambient UV-B supplemented with 30% and elevated O₃ concentrations (100 and 200 ppb, for 7 weeks) significantly increased R _TOT in both vegetation treatments. Elevated O₃ concentrations reduced NEE over time, while UV-B had no clear effects on the fluxes of CO₂ or CH₄ in the cloudy summer of the study. Field experiments are needed to assess the significance of increasing UV-B radiation and elevated tropospheric O₃ concentration on peatland gas exchange in the long-term.     

A Multi-Year Record of Methane Flux at the Mer Bleue Bog,Southern Canada

The Mer Bleue peatland is a large ombrotrophic bog with hummock-lawn microtopography, poor fen sections and beaver ponds at the margin. Average growing-season (May–October) fluxes of methane (CH₄) measured in 2002–2003 across the bog ranged from less than 5 mg m⁻² d⁻¹ in hummocks, to greater than 100 mg m⁻² d⁻¹ in lawns and ponds. The average position of the water table explained about half of the variation in the season average CH₄ fluxes, similar to that observed in many other peatlands in Canada and elsewhere. The flux varied most when the water table position ranged between −15 and −40 cm. To better establish the factors that influence this variability, we measured CH₄ flux at approximately weekly intervals from May to November for 5 years (2004–2008) at 12 collars representing the water table and vegetation variations typical of the peatland. Over the snow-free season, peat temperature is the dominant correlate and the difference among the collars’ seasonal average CH₄ flux is partially dependent on water table position. A third important correlate on CH₄ flux is vegetation, particularly the presence of Eriophorum vaginatum, which increases CH₄ flux, as well as differences in the potential of the peat profile to produce and consume CH₄ under anaerobic and aerobic conditions. The combination of peat temperature and water table position with vegetation cover was able to explain approximately 44% of the variation in daily CH₄ flux, based on 1097 individual measurements. There was considerable inter-annual variation in fluxes, associated with varying peat thermal and water table regimes in response to variations in weather, but also by variations in the water level in peripheral ponds, associated with beaver dam activity. Raised water level in the beaver ponds led to higher water tables and increased CH₄ emission in the peatland.     

Methane dynamics of a restored cut‐away peatland

We measured a cut‐away peatland's CH₄ dynamics using the static chamber technique one year before and two years after restoration (rewetting). The CH₄ emissions were related to variation in vegetation and abiotic factors using multiple linear regression. A statistical model for CH₄ flux with cottongrass cover (Eriophorum vaginatum L.), soil temperature, water level, and effective temperature sum index as driving variables explained most (r² = 0.81) of the temporal and spatial variability in the fluxes. In addition to the direct increasing effect of raised water level on CH₄ emissions, rewetting also promoted an increase of cottongrass cover which consequently increased carbon flux (substrate availability) into the system. The seasonal CH₄ dynamics in tussocks followed seasonal CO₂ dynamics till mid August but in late autumn CH₄ emissions increased while CO₂ influxes decreased. The reconstructed seasonal CH₄ exchange was clearly higher following the rewetting, although it was still lower than emissions from pristine mires in the same area. However, our simulation for closed cottongrass vegetation showed that CH₄ emissions from restored peatlands may remain at a lower level for a longer period of time even after sites have become fully vegetated and colonized by mire plants.     

放牧对若尔盖高原湿地CH4排放的影响

湿地是大气甲烷(CH_4)的主要排放源,而有关放牧对湿地CH_4排放的影响特征仍未得到足够的报道。因此,通过静态箱法,研究了放牧对四川省若尔盖高原湿地CH_4排放的影响,CH_4气体通过快速温室气体分析仪测量。结果表明:放牧样地和围栏内样地生长季CH_4排放量为(31.32±19.57)g/m~2和(30.31±23.46)g/m~2,它们之间无差异显著;但是集中放牧期间(7—9月),放牧样地(21.01±12.35)g/m~2较围栏内样地显著增加了CH_4排放量为54.3%。2014年生长季期间通过刈割植物模拟放牧表明两种刈割强度CH_4排放量为(5.01±5.37)g/m~2和(4.69±5.99)g/m~2,较未刈割样地(1.15±1.89)g/m~2增加了335.9%和308.0%,其原因可能是放牧或者刈割减少地表植物生物量,降低植物高度,缩短了CH_4排放的路径距离。该结果可为我国高原湿地保护与管理决策提供基础数据支撑。     

CH4 emission from a hollow-ridge complex in a raised bog: The role of CH4 production and oxidation

The aim of this study was to correlate magnitude andcontrols of CH₄ fluxes with the microtopographyand the vegetation in a hollow-ridge complex of araised bog. High CH₄ emission rates were measuredfrom hollows and mud-bottom hollows, while hummocksconsumed atmospheric CH₄ at a low rate. Thehighest emissions were measured from plots with Eriophorum vaginatum and Scheuchzeriapalustris. CH₄ emission ceased after Scheuchzeria had been clipped below the water table,indicating the importance of this aerenchymatic plantas a conduit for CH₄.Peat in the upper catotelm of hollows was younger andless decomposed than in hummocks. Potential CH₄production in vitro was higher and themethanogenic association was better adapted to highertemperatures in hollow than in hummock peat. Highertemperatures in hollows resulted in a strongerCH₄ source in hollows than in hummocks. Negativefluxes from hummocks indicated that even in wetlandsmethanotrophic bacteria exist that are able to oxidizeCH₄ at atmospheric mixing ratios, and thatoxidation controls CH₄ emission completely. TheCH₄ mixing ratio was low in the acrotelm, but itincreased within the catotelm. Comparing fluxesmeasured in static chambers with fluxes calculatedfrom the porewater CH₄ profiles it was deducedthat the zone of methane oxidation was located closeto the water table.In hollows, CH₄ production at in situtemperature was far higher than emission into theatmosphere, corresponding to an oxidation rate ofnearly 99%. The CH₄ flux between the catotelmand the acrotelm of hollows was also higher than theemission, indicating the importance of CH₄oxidation in the aerobic acrotelm, too. CH₄microprofiles showed that CH₄ oxidation inmud-bottom hollows was confined to the topmost 2 mm,and that in Sphagnum-covered hollows CH₄oxidation occurred at the lower edge of green Sphagnum-parts.     

Methane dynamics of recolonized cutover minerotrophic peatland: Implications for restoration

In North America, mulching of vacuum-harvested sites combined with blocking of the drainage system is widely used for peatland restoration to accelerate Sphagnum establishment. However, peat extraction in fen peatlands or exposure of deeper minerotrophic peat layers results in soil chemistry that is less suitable for re-establishment of Sphagnum moss. In this situation, restoration of plant species characteristic of minerotrophic peatlands is desirable to return the site to a carbon accumulating system. In these cases, it may be worthwhile to maintain spontaneously revegetating species as part of restoration if they provide desirable ecosystem functions. We studied the role of six spontaneously recolonizing vegetation communities for methane (CH₄) emissions and pore water CH₄ concentration for two growing seasons (2008 and 2009) at an abandoned minerotrophic peatland in southeastern Quebec. We then compared the results with bare peat and adjacent natural fen vegetation. Communities dominated by Eriophorum vaginatum, Carex aquatilis and Typha latifolia had CH₄ flux an order of magnitude greater than other cutover vegetation types and natural sites. In contrast, Scirpus atrocinctus and Equisetum arvense had CH₄ emission rates lower than natural hollow vegetation. We found seasonal average water table and vegetation volume had significant correlation with CH₄ flux. Water table and soil temperature were significantly correlated with CH₄ flux at plots where the water table was near or above the surface. Pore water CH₄ concentration suggests that CH₄ is being produced at the cutover peatland and that low measured fluxes likely result from substantial oxidation of CH₄ in the unsaturated zone. Understanding ecosystem functions of spontaneously recolonizing species on cutover fens can be used to help make decisions about the inclusion of these communities for future restoration measures.     

Effect of experimental nitrogen load on methane and nitrous oxide fluxes on ombrotrophic boreal peatland

Methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) dynamics were studied in a boreal Sphagnum fuscum pine bog receiving annually (from 1991 to 1996) 30 or 100 kg NH₄NO₃-N ha^–1. The gas emissions were measured during the last three growing seasons of the experiment. Nitrogen treatment did not affect the CH₄ fluxes in the microsites where S. fuscum and S. angustifolium dominated. However, addition of 100 kg NH₄NO₃-N ha^–1 yr^–1 increased the CH₄ emission from those microsites dominated by S. fuscum. This increase was associated with the increase in coverage of cotton grass (Eriophorum vaginatum) induced by the nitrogen treatment. The differences in the CH₄ emissions were not related to the CH₄ oxidation and production potentials in the peat profiles. The N₂O fluxes were negligible from all microsites. Only minor short-term increases occurred after the nitrogen addition.     

Effect of microrelief and vegetation on methane emission from wet polygonal tundra, Lena Delta, Northern Siberia

The effect of microrelief and vegetation on methane (CH₄) emission was investigated in a wet polygonal tundra of the Lena Delta, Northern Siberia (72.37N, 126.47E). Total and plant-mediated CH₄ fluxes were measured by closed-chamber techniques at two typical sites within a low-centred polygon. During the study period, total CH₄ flux averaged 28.0±5.4mgm^–2d^–1 in the depressed polygon centre and only 4.3±0.8mgm^–2d^–1 at the elevated polygon rim. This substantial small-scale spatial variability of CH₄ emission was caused by strong differences of hydrologic conditions within the microrelief of the polygon, which affected aeration status and organic matter content of the soils as well as the vegetation cover. Beside water table position, the vegetation cover was a major factor controlling CH₄ emission from polygonal tundra. It was shown that the dominant vascular plant of the study area, Carex aquatilis, possesses large aerenchyma, which serve as pathways for substantial plant-mediated CH₄ transport. The importance of plant-mediated CH₄ flux was strongly influenced by the position of the water table relative to the main root horizon. Plant-mediated CH₄ transport accounted for about two-thirds of the total flux in the wet polygon centre and for less than one-third of the total flux at the moist polygon rim. A clipping experiment and microscopic-anatomical studies suggested that plant-mediated CH₄ transport via C. aquatilis plants is driven only by diffusion and is limited by the high diffusion resistance of the dense root exodermes.     

Emission and oxidation of methane in Equisetum fluviatile stands growing on organic sediment and sand bottoms

Methane emission and rhizospheric CH₄ oxidation were studied in stands of Equisetum fluviatile, a common cryptogam in boreal lakes. The experiment was performed in mesocosms with organic sediment or sand bottoms under natural variation of temperature and light using the light-oxic – dark-anoxic chamber (LO/DA) technique. Net CH₄ emission from the organic sediment during the growing season varied between 3.4 and 19.0 mg m^–2 h^–1, but from sand the net CH₄ emission was only 3–10% of that measured from the organic sediment. In the organic sediment net CH₄ emission was very significantly correlated with sediment temperature (r² = 0.92). In the sand mesocosms the variation of net CH₄ emission was better correlated with the shoot biomass than with sediment temperature variation during the growing season, indicating that methanogens were severely limited by substrate availability and were probably dependent on substrates produced by E. fluviatile. The proportion of the methane oxidized of the potential CH₄ emission in summer did not differ significantly between the bottom types. The net CH₄ emission during the growing season as a proportion of the seasonal maximum of the shoot biomass was significantly higher in the organic sediment mesocosms (6.5%) than in sand (1.7%). The high CH₄ emissions observed from dense well-established E. fluviatile stands in the field appear to be more related to temperature-regulated turnover of detritus in the anaerobic sediment and less to CH₄ oxidation and seasonal variation in plant growth dynamics     

Diel methane emissions in stands of Spartina alterniflora and Suaeda salsa from a coastal salt marsh

In this study, we aimed to understand the influence of plant type on the monthly variations of diel CH₄ fluxes from Spartina alterniflora and Suaeda salsa of coastal salt marshes at three growth stages (July, August and September). Dissolved CH₄ concentrations in porewater and sediment redox potentials were monitored, as were aboveground plant biomass and stem densities. CH₄ fluxes exhibited clear monthly variations and peaked in September in the S. alterniflora and S. salsa mesocosms. However, no discernible diel variation was observed in the CH₄ flux in the S. salsa mesocosm, probably due to its weak gas transport capacity. By contrast, notable diel variations of CH₄ flux with the peak of 1.42 and 3.67 mg CH₄ m⁻² h⁻¹ at 12:00 and the lowest of 0.75 and 2.11 mg CH₄ m⁻² h⁻¹ at 3:00 or 6:00 were observed in the S. alterniflora mesocosm on 11 August and 11 September, respectively, but not in July mainly due to low plant biomass masking diel variations in the porewater CH₄ concentration. The ratios of the maximum flux to minimum flux over the course of the day in the S. alterniflora mesocosm on 10 July, 11 August and 11 September were 1.28, 1.89 and 1.76, respectively, and corresponding values for porewater CH₄ concentration were 1.31, 1.39 and 1.17, respectively. CH₄ flux significantly correlated with CH₄ concentration in porewater, and both were significantly related to air temperature. These findings indicate that CH₄ production and CH₄ flux at the middle growth stage (August) exhibited greater responses to changes in air temperature, which in turn induced the higher diel variation. The higher diel cycle for CH₄ flux in August than in September was likely due to the higher proportion of CH₄ oxidized during diffusion within the aerenchyma system. Our results suggest that the extent of diel variations in CH₄ flux may have depended on the gas transport capacity of plants, and the highest diel variation occurred at the middle growth stage.     

Vegetation heterogeneity and ditches create spatial variability in methane fluxes from peatlands drained for forestry

Drainage of peatlands for forestry starts a succession of ground vegetation in which mire species are gradually replaced by forest species. Some mire plant communities vanish quickly following the water-level drawdown; some may prevail longer in the moister patches of peatland. Drainage ditches, as a new kind of surface, introduce another component of spatial variation in drained peatlands. These variations were hypothesized to affect methane (CH₄) fluxes from drained peatlands. Methane fluxes from different plant communities and unvegetated surfaces, including ditches, were measured at the drained part of Lakkasuo mire, Central Finland. The fluxes were found to be related to peatland site type, plant community, water-table position and soil temperature. At nutrient-rich fen sites fluxes between plant communities differed only a little: almost all plots acted as CH₄ sinks (−0.9 to −0.4 mg CH₄ m⁻² d⁻¹), with the exception of Eriophorum angustifolium Honck. communities, which emitted 0.9 g CH₄ m⁻² d⁻¹. At nutrient-poor bog site the differences between plant communities were clearer. The highest emissions were measured from Eriophorum vaginatum L. communities (29.7 mg CH₄ m⁻² d⁻¹), with a decreasing trend to Sphagna (10.0 mg CH₄ m⁻² d⁻¹) and forest moss communities (2.6 mg CH₄ m⁻² d⁻¹). CH₄ emissions from different kinds of ditches were highly variable, and extremely high emissions (summertime averages 182–600 mg CH₄ m⁻² d⁻¹) were measured from continuously water-covered ditches at the drained fen. Variability in the emissions was caused by differences in the origin and movement of water in the ditches, as well as differences in vegetation communities in the ditches. While drainage on average greatly decreases CH₄ emissions from peatlands, a great spatial variability in fluxes is emerged. Emissions from ditches constantly covered with water, may in some cases have a great impact on the overall CH₄ emissions from drained peatlands.     

滩地人工林幼林不同时间尺度CH4通量变化特征——基于涡度相关闭路系统的研究

长江滩地是甲烷(CH_4)排放的潜在热点区域,然而目前其CH_4通量的变化特征及控制因子尚未被揭晓。基于涡度相关闭路系统进行为期2年多的连续观测,旨在揭示长江滩地杨树(Populus deltoides)人工林幼林CH_4通量在不同时间尺度上的变化特征及其调控机理。结果显示,全年和部分未淹水月份表现出白天排放强而夜间排放弱的平均日变化特征,且淹水前、淹水期间和退水后分别表现出日间双峰型(7:00和10:00)、日间与夜间各一峰的双峰型(10:00和23:00),以及典型的日间单峰型(10:00)。淹水年份(2012年)在夏季(6—8月)排放最强,在春末(5月)和秋末冬初(11—12月)排放最弱,而未淹水年份(2013年)在初夏(6月)排放最强,在盛夏(7月)和秋末(11月)转变为较弱的吸收。淹水年份的年排放量((128.0±42.4)mmol/m~2)是未淹水年份((51.5±29.1)mmol/m~2)的2.5倍。滩地人工林幼林CH_4通量的日变化和季节变化最可能受到摩擦风速、水位和土壤温度的调节,而年际间的巨大差异主要由淹水状况决定。     

张掖湿地甲烷通量动态特征及其影响因子

于2012年7月—2014年6月对地处干旱区的张掖湿地甲烷(CH_4)通量进行观测,分析其CH_4通量的变化特征及其影响因子。结果表明:CH_4通量的日变化趋势总体表现为白天大于夜间;不同季节CH_4通量排放特征差异明显,夏季最大,春秋次之,冬季最小;CH_4通量日总量与空气温度、土壤温度之间指数相关关系显著,其中4 cm处土壤温度与之相关性最强;1—6月摩擦风速(U*)与CH_4通量显著正相关;结合CO_2通量观测数据,研究时段张掖湿地净碳吸收量为495.92 g C m~(-2)a~(-1),为明显碳汇。     

Sedge Succession and Peatland Methane Dynamics: A Potential Feedback to Climate Change

Under the warmer climate, predicted for the future, northern peatlands are expected to become drier. This drying will lower the water table and likely result in reduced emissions of methane (CH₄) from these ecosystems. However, the prediction of declining CH₄ fluxes does not consider the potential effects of ecological succession, particularly the invasion of sedges into currently wet sites (open water pools, low lawns). The goal of this study was to characterize the relationship between the presence of sedges in peatlands and CH₄ efflux under natural conditions and under a climate change simulation (drained peatland). Methane fluxes, gross ecosystem production, and dissolved pore water CH₄ concentrations were measured and a vegetation survey was conducted in a natural and drained peatland near St. Charles-de-Bellechasse, Quebec, Canada, in the summer of 2003. Each peatland also had plots where the sedges had been removed by clipping. Sedges were larger, more dominant, and more productive at the drained peatland site. The natural peatland had higher CH₄ fluxes than the drained peatland, indicating that drainage was a significant control on CH₄ flux. Methane flux was higher from plots with sedges than from plots where sedges had been removed at the natural peatland site, whereas the opposite case was observed at the drained peatland site. These results suggest that CH₄ flux was enhanced by sedges at the natural peatland site and attenuated by sedges at the drained peatland site. However, the attenuation of CH₄ flux due to sedges at the drained site was reduced in wetter periods. This finding suggests that CH₄ flux could be decreased in the event of climate warming due to the greater depth to the water table, and that sedges colonizing these areas could further attenuate CH₄ fluxes during dry periods. However, during wet periods, the sedges may cause CH₄ fluxes to be higher than is currently predicted for climate change scenarios.     

小兴安岭天然森林沼泽湿地生态系统碳源/汇

采用静态箱-气相色谱法与相对生长方程法,同步测定小兴安岭7种天然沼泽湿地(草丛沼泽-C、灌丛沼泽-G、毛赤杨沼泽-M、白桦沼泽-B、落叶松苔草沼泽-L-T、落叶松藓类沼泽-L-X、落叶松泥炭藓沼泽-L-N)的土壤呼吸(CO_2、CH_4)净碳排放量、植被年净固碳量,并依据生态系统净碳收支平衡,揭示温带天然沼泽湿地的碳源/汇作用规律。结果表明:(1)7种天然沼泽CH_4年通量(0.006—7.756 mg m~(-2)h~(-1))呈M(高于其他类型1.0—1291.7倍,P0.05)C、G、B(高于针叶林沼泽17.7—649.0倍,P0.05)针叶林沼泽变化趋势,其季节动态存在3种类型(C、G单峰型、M、B多峰型及针叶林沼泽排放与吸收交替型);(2)其CO_2年通量(157.40—231.06 mg m~(-2)h~(-1))呈G(高于森林沼泽28.7%—46.8%,P0.05)C(高于森林沼泽7.4%—22.5%,P0.05)森林沼泽的变化趋势,其季节动态存在2种类型(C、G、L-X和L-N双峰型和M、B、L-T单峰型);(3)C、G、M、B、L-N CH_4排放仅受0—40 cm不同土壤层温度所控制;7种天然沼泽土壤CO_2排放均受气温及0—40 cm不同土壤层温度所控制,但B、L-X、L-N受温度与水位综合控制;(4)其植被年净固碳量((2.05±0.09)—(6.75±0.27)t C hm-2a-1)呈C(高于其他类型65.4%—229.3%,P0.05)G、B、L-T、L-X、L-N(高于M 80.0%—99.0%,P0.05)M变化趋势;(5)7种天然沼泽的碳源/汇(-2.32—2.09 t C hm-2a-1)作用不同,C、B和L-N为碳吸收汇(C强汇、B和L-N弱汇),M、G、L-T和L-X则为碳排放源(M、G强源、L-T和L-X弱源)。因此,温带小兴安岭草丛沼泽为碳强汇、灌丛沼泽为碳强源、森林沼泽基本维持碳平衡(除M外)。     

模拟SO42-沉降对闽江口淡水感潮野慈姑湿地甲烷排放通量的影响

2015年12月—2016年10月,每月小潮日原位定期向闽江口塔礁洲淡水感潮野慈姑(Sagittaria trifolia L.)湿地施加剂量为60、120 kg S hm~(-2)a~(-1)的K_2SO_4溶液(分别记做S-60和S-120),探讨模拟硫酸根(SO_4~(2-))沉降对河口淡水感潮湿地甲烷(CH4)排放通量及间隙水SO_4~(2-)浓度的影响。对照、S-60和S-120处理组CH_4排放通量年均值分别为(7.88±1.00)mg h~(-1)m~(-2)、(6.55±0.97)mg h~(-1)m~(-2)和(6.66±1.49)mg h~(-1)m~(-2)。在年尺度上,两个高强度模拟SO_4~(2-)沉降处理组均未显著降低闽江口淡水感潮野慈姑湿地CH_4排放通量(P0.05),即高强度SO_4~(2-)沉降不会对河口淡水感潮湿地CH_4排放通量产生类似于其对泥炭湿地和水稻田的显著抑制效应。在年尺度以及秋、冬季,两个施加K_2SO_4溶液处理显著增加了野慈姑湿地10 cm深度土壤间隙水SO_4~(2-)浓度。对于各个处理组,温度较高的夏、秋季CH_4排放通量均显著高于温度相对较低的冬、春季(P0.05)。不同处理组CH_4排放通量均与土壤温度呈显著正相关关系,温度仍然是影响亚热带河口淡水感潮湿地CH_4排放通量的重要环境因子。     

Vegetation Type Dominates the Spatial Variability in CH<Subscript>4</Subscript> Emissions Across Multiple Arctic Tundra Landscapes

Methane (CH₄) emissions from Arctic tundra are an important feedback to global climate. Currently, modelling and predicting CH₄ fluxes at broader scales are limited by the challenge of upscaling plot-scale measurements in spatially heterogeneous landscapes, and by uncertainties regarding key controls of CH₄ emissions. In this study, CH₄ and CO₂ fluxes were measured together with a range of environmental variables and detailed vegetation analysis at four sites spanning 300 km latitude from Barrow to Ivotuk (Alaska). We used multiple regression modelling to identify drivers of CH₄ flux, and to examine relationships between gross primary productivity (GPP), dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and CH₄ fluxes. We found that a highly simplified vegetation classification consisting of just three vegetation types (wet sedge, tussock sedge and other) explained 54% of the variation in CH₄ fluxes across the entire transect, performing almost as well as a more complex model including water table, sedge height and soil moisture (explaining 58% of the variation in CH₄ fluxes). Substantial CH₄ emissions were recorded from tussock sedges in locations even when the water table was lower than 40 cm below the surface, demonstrating the importance of plant-mediated transport. We also found no relationship between instantaneous GPP and CH₄ fluxes, suggesting that models should be cautious in assuming a direct relationship between primary production and CH₄ emissions. Our findings demonstrate the importance of vegetation as an integrator of processes controlling CH₄ emissions in Arctic ecosystems, and provide a simplified framework for upscaling plot scale CH₄ flux measurements from Arctic ecosystems.     

Species-specific Effects of Vascular Plants on Carbon Turnover and Methane Emissions from Wetlands

Species composition affects the carbon turnover and the formation and emission of the greenhouse gas methane (CH₄) in wetlands. Here we investigate the individual effects of vascular plant species on the carbon cycling in a wetland ecosystem. We used a novel combination of laboratory methods and controlled environment facilities and studied three different vascular plant species (Eriophorum vaginatum, Carex rostrata and Juncus effusus) collected from the same wetland in southern Sweden. We found distinct differences in the functioning of these wetland sedges in terms of their effects on carbon dioxide (CO₂) and CH₄ fluxes, bubble emission of CH₄, decomposition of ¹⁴C-labelled acetate into ¹⁴CH₄ and ¹⁴CO₂, rhizospheric oxidation of CH₄ to CO₂ and stimulation of methanogenesis through root exudation of substrate (e.g., acetate). The results show that the emission of CH₄ from peat–plant monoliths was highest when the vegetation was dominated by Carex (6.76 mg CH₄ m⁻² h⁻¹) than when it was dominated by Eriophorum (2.38 mg CH₄ m⁻² h⁻¹) or Juncus (2.68 mg CH₄ m⁻² h⁻¹). Furthermore, the CH₄ emission seemed controlled primarily by the degree of rhizospheric CH₄ oxidation which was between 20 and 40% for Carex but >90% for both the other species. Our results point toward a direct and very important linkage between the plant species composition and the functioning of wetland ecosystems and indicate that changes in the species composition may alter important processes relating to controls of and interactions between greenhouse gas fluxes with significant implications for feedback mechanisms in a changing climate as a result.     

Elevated UV-B radiation alters fluxes of methane and carbon dioxide in peatland microcosms

Increases in solar ultraviolet‐B radiation (UV‐B; 280–320 nm) reaching the earth have been estimated to continue until 2050s in the boreal and subarctic regions with an abundant peatland cover. Peatlands are significant sinks for carbon dioxide (CO₂) and sources for methane (CH₄). To assess whether the future increases in UV‐B could affect the fluxes of CO₂ and CH₄ in peatlands via an impact on vegetation, we exposed peatland microcosms to modulated 30% supplementation of erythemally weighted UV‐B at an outdoor facility for one growing season. The experimental design included appropriate controls for UV‐A and ambient radiation. The UV‐B caused a significant reduction in gross photosynthesis, net ecosystem CO₂ exchange, and CH₄ emission of the peatland microcosms. These changes in the carbon gas cycling can be partly explained by UV‐B‐induced morphological changes in Eriophorum vaginatum which acts as a conduit for CH₄. Leaf cross section and the percentage of CH₄‐conducting aerenchymatous tissue in E. vaginatum were significantly reduced by UV‐B. Methanol‐extractable UV‐B absorbing compounds decreased under both UV‐B and UV‐A in Sphagnum angustifolium, and tended to accumulate under UV‐B in S. papillosum. Membrane permeability to magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) ions was higher in UV‐B exposed S. angustifolium. Amount of chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments was increased by UV‐A in S. magellanicum. The observed changes in Sphagnum mosses did not coincide with those in carbon gas fluxes but occurred at the time of the highest UV intensity in the mid summer. Our findings indicate that increasing UV‐B may have more substantial effects on gas exchange in peatlands than previously thought.     

若尔盖高原沼泽湿地CO2排放时空变化特征

为了更好理解若尔盖高原不同微生境下沼泽湿地生态系统CO₂排放通量的变化特征,以若尔盖高原湿地自然保护区为研究对象,2013和2014年生长季期间,采用了静态箱和快速温室气体法原位观测了3种湿地5种微生境下沼泽湿地CO₂排放通量时空变化规律。结果表明：长期淹水微地貌草丘区湿地（PHK）和洼地区湿地（PHW） CO₂排放通量变化范围分别为38.99-1731.74 mg m^-2 h^-1和46.69-335.22 mg m^-2 h^-1,季节性淹水区微地貌草丘区湿地（SHK）和洼地区湿地（SHW） CO₂排放通量变化范围分别为193.90-2575.60 mg m^-2 h^-1和49.93-1467.45 mg m^-2 h^-1,而两者过渡区的无淹水区沼泽湿地（Lawn） CO₂排放通量变化范围194.20-898.75 mg m^-2 h^-1。相关性分析表明5种微地貌区沼泽湿地CO₂排放通量季节性变化与不同深度土壤温度均存在显著正相关,与水位存在显著负相关（PHW、SHW、SHK、Lawn）或不相关（PHK）,并且水位和温度（5 cm）共同解释了CO₂排放通量季节性变化的87%。3种湿地5种微生境下沼泽湿地CO₂排放通量存在空间变化规律,主要受水位影响,但植物也影响沼泽湿地CO₂排放通量空间变化规律,并且表明沼泽湿地CO₂排放通量与水位平均值存在显著负相关。