Plant transport and methane production as controls on methane flux from arctic wet meadow tundra

The roles of plant transport and CH₄ production in controlling CH₄ flux from wet meadow tundra communities were investigated. Plant transport was the dominant pathway of CH₄ flux from this ecosystem. Most CH₄ production (measured within situ anaerobic incubations) occurred well below the water table, and C supply (estimated by anaerobic CO₂ production) was the best single predictor of CH₄ production rates. Plant transport of CH₄ was controlled both by CH₄ supply and the plant species.Eriophorum angustifolium transported substantially more CH₄ than didCarex aquatilis, due to differences in size and structure of the two species. The composition of the plant community was a greater control on CH₄ flux from the site than either water table height (which varied only slightly) or CH₄ production rates, indicating the importance of species-specific plant dynamics in controlling CH₄ flux from arctic wetlands.