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Massive peatland carbon banks vulnerable to rising temperatures

Author

Listed:
  • A. M. Hopple

    (University of Oregon
    Chapman University
    Pacific Northwest National Laboratory)

  • R. M. Wilson

    (Florida State University)

  • M. Kolton

    (Georgia Institute of Technology)

  • C. A. Zalman

    (Chapman University)

  • J. P. Chanton

    (Florida State University)

  • J. Kostka

    (Georgia Institute of Technology)

  • P. J. Hanson

    (Oak Ridge National Laboratory)

  • J. K. Keller

    (Chapman University)

  • S. D. Bridgham

    (University of Oregon)

Abstract

Peatlands contain one-third of the world’s soil carbon (C). If destabilized, decomposition of this vast C bank could accelerate climate warming; however, the likelihood of this outcome remains unknown. Here, we examine peatland C stability through five years of whole-ecosystem warming and two years of elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations (eCO2). Warming exponentially increased methane (CH4) emissions and enhanced CH4 production rates throughout the entire soil profile; although surface CH4 production rates remain much greater than those at depth. Additionally, older deeper C sources played a larger role in decomposition following prolonged warming. Most troubling, decreases in CO2:CH4 ratios in gas production, porewater concentrations, and emissions, indicate that the peatland is becoming more methanogenic with warming. We observed limited evidence of eCO2 effects. Our results suggest that ecosystem responses are largely driven by surface peat, but that the vast C bank at depth in peatlands is responsive to prolonged warming.

Suggested Citation

  • A. M. Hopple & R. M. Wilson & M. Kolton & C. A. Zalman & J. P. Chanton & J. Kostka & P. J. Hanson & J. K. Keller & S. D. Bridgham, 2020. "Massive peatland carbon banks vulnerable to rising temperatures," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-7, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:11:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-16311-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16311-8
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    Cited by:

    1. Nicholas O. E. Ofiti & Michael W. I. Schmidt & Samuel Abiven & Paul J. Hanson & Colleen M. Iversen & Rachel M. Wilson & Joel E. Kostka & Guido L. B. Wiesenberg & Avni Malhotra, 2023. "Climate warming and elevated CO2 alter peatland soil carbon sources and stability," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, December.

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