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Title: El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) Enhances CO2 Exchange Rates in Freshwater Marsh Ecosystems in the Florida Everglades

Journal Article · · PLoS ONE
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [3];  [4];  [5];  [6];  [2]
  1. University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL (United States); USDA Forest Service, Fort Collins, CO (United States)
  2. University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL (United States)
  3. Florida International University (FIU), Miami, FL (United States)
  4. USDA Forest Service, Fort Collins, CO (United States); Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO (United States)
  5. Florida International University (FIU), Miami, FL (United States); West Chester University, PA (United States)
  6. National Ecological Observatory Network Inc., Boulder, CO (United States); University of Colorado, Boulder, CO (United States)
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This research examines the relationships between El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), water level, precipitation patterns and carbon dioxide (CO2) exchange rates in the freshwater wetland ecosystems of the Florida Everglades. Data was obtained over a 5-year study period (2009–2013) from two freshwater marsh sites located in Everglades National Park that differ in hydrology. At the shorthydroperiod site (Taylor Slough; TS) and the long-hydroperiod site (Shark River Slough; SRS) fluctuations in precipitation patterns occurred with changes in ENSO phase, suggesting that extreme ENSO phases alter Everglades hydrology which is known to have a substantial influence on ecosystem carbon dynamics. Variations in both ENSO phase and annual net CO2 exchange rates co-occurred with changes in wet and dry season length and intensity. Combined with site-specific seasonality in CO2 exchanges rates, El Niño and La Niña phases magnified season intensity and CO2 exchange rates at both sites. At TS, net CO2 uptake rates were higher in the dry season, whereas SRS had greater rates of carbon sequestration during the wet season. As La Niña phases were concurrent with drought years and extended dry seasons, TS became a greater sink for CO2 on an annual basis (211 to 2110 g CO2 m-2 yr-1 ) compared to El Niño and neutral years (25 to 243.5 g CO2 m-2 yr-1 ). SRS was a small source for CO2 annually (1.81 to 80 g CO2 m-2 yr-1 ) except in one exceptionally wet year that was associated with an El Niño phase (216 g CO2 m-2 yr-1 ). Considering that future climate predictions suggest a higher frequency and intensity in El Nin˜o and La Nin˜a phases, these results indicate that changes in extreme ENSO phases will significantly alter CO2 dynamics in the Florida Everglades.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE; National Science Foundation (NSF); US Department of Education
Grant/Contract Number:
07-SC-NICCR-1059; 1233006
OSTI ID:
1903806
Journal Information:
PLoS ONE, Vol. 9, Issue 12; ISSN 1932-6203
Publisher:
Public Library of ScienceCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
El Nino southern oscillations
seasons
rain
carbon dioxide
ecosystems
climate change
drought
fresh water