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Title: A Biogeochemical Compromise: The High Methane Cost of Sequestering Carbon in Restored Wetlands

Journal Article · · Geophysical Research Letters
ORCiD logo [1];  [1];  [1];  [2]; ORCiD logo [1]
  1. University of California, Berkeley Ecosystem Science Division, Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management Berkeley CA USA
  2. Stanford University Department of Earth System Science Stanford CA USA

Abstract Peatland drainage is an important driver of global soil carbon loss and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions. Restoration of peatlands by reflooding reverses CO 2 losses at the cost of increased methane (CH 4 ) emissions, presenting a biogeochemical compromise. While restoring peatlands is a potentially effective method for sequestering carbon, the terms of this compromise are not well constrained. Here we present 14 site years of continuous CH 4 and CO 2 ecosystem‐scale gas exchange over a network of restored freshwater wetlands in California, where long growing seasons, warm weather, and managed water tables result in some of the largest wetland ecosystem CH 4 emissions recorded. These large CH 4 emissions cause the wetlands to be strong greenhouse gas sources while sequestering carbon and building peat soil. The terms of this biogeochemical compromise, dictated by the ratio between carbon sequestration and CH 4 emission, vary considerably across small spatial scales, despite nearly identical wetland climate, hydrology, and plant community compositions.

Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
7079856
OSTI ID:
1457062
Journal Information:
Geophysical Research Letters, Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters Vol. 45 Journal Issue: 12; ISSN 0094-8276
Publisher:
American Geophysical Union (AGU)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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