Methane emission from a wetland plant: the role of CH4 oxidation in Eriophorum

The importance of plant-mediated CH₄ transport was studied in a northern wetland. CH₄ transport through Eriophorum, a dominant sedge, was found to be the major pathway for CH₄ fluxes. Mean emission from Sphagnum lawns was low (34 g CH₄ m^-2 h^-1) and significantly higher from tussocks of Eriophorum vaginatum (974 g CH₄ m^-2 h^-1; U-test, p < 0.05). Mean flux from single tillers of Eriophorum angustifolium was 92 g CH₄ h^-1. In contrast to other ecosystems, no CH₄ oxidation was associated with Eriophorum. Hence, the lack of oxidation is one reason for the high emission rates from these ecosystems. This finding is a caveat for models of CH₄ emission and may also have consequences for carbon flow models of northern wetlands.