Methane flux time series for tundra environments
- Alaska Univ., Fairbanks (USA)
Seasonal measurements of net methane flux were made at permanent sites representing important components of arctic tundra. The sites include Eriophorum tussocks, intertussock depressions, moss-covered areas, and Carex stands. Methane fluxes showed high diel, seasonal, intra site, and between site variability. Eriophorum tussocks and Carex dominated methane release to the atmosphere, with mean annual net methane fluxes of 8.05 + or{minus}2.50 g CH{sub 4}/sq m and 4.88 + or{minus}0.73 g CH{sub 4}/sq m, respectively. Methane fluxes form the moss sites and intertussock depressions were much lower. Over 90% of the mean annual methane flux from the Eriophorum, intertussock depressions, and Carex sites occurred between thaw and freeze-up. Some 40% of the mean annual methane flux from the moss sites occurred during winter. Composite methane fluxes for tussock tundra and Carex-dominated wet meadow tundra environments were produced by weighting measured component fluxes according to areal coverage. Tussock and wet meadow tundra account for an estimated global methane emission of 19-33 Tg/yr. 39 refs., 7 figs., 2 tabs.
- OSTI ID:
- 6943494
- Journal Information:
- Global Biogeochemical Cycles; (USA), Vol. 2:4; ISSN 0886-6236
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Effects of experimentally-warmed tundra on diurnal gas exchange in Salix-, Carex, and Eriophorum in a high-arctic lowland oasis
Plant growth form more important than temperature in controlling CH{sub 4} flux in Alaskan tundra communities
Related Subjects
METHANE
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
AIR POLLUTION
DIFFUSION
POLLUTION SOURCES
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
TUNDRA
WETLANDS
ALKANES
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
ECOSYSTEMS
HYDROCARBONS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
VARIATIONS
540120* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)