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Methane flux dynamics during mire succession
Mirva Leppälä1, Jari Oksanen, Eeva-Stiina Tuittila
1Muhos Research Unit, Finnish Forest Research Institute, Muhos, Finland.
Oecologia
|August 31, 2010
Summary
Methane (CH4) emissions from wetlands increase with mire age, contrary to initial hypotheses. Hydrology and temperature influence CH4 release, with older bogs showing more stable emissions than younger fens.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Biogeochemistry
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Wetland methane (CH4) dynamics are influenced by vegetation, temperature, and hydrology.
- Mire succession involves changes in these environmental factors over time.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of mire age on CH4 emissions.
- To determine the relative importance of vegetation, temperature, and hydrology in controlling CH4 dynamics across a successional sequence.
Main Methods:
- Measurements of CH4 emissions and environmental variables over two years.
- Study of five mires spanning a successional sequence (178 to 2,520 years old).
Main Results:
- CH4 emissions unexpectedly increased with mire age towards the bog stage.
- Hydrological stability in older mires led to lower temporal variation in CH4 emissions.
- Temperature and vegetation influenced CH4 emissions primarily when water tables were high; seasonal variation was temperature-controlled only at the oldest site.
Conclusions:
- Mire succession leads to increased CH4 emissions, with older mires maintaining stable emissions despite environmental perturbations.
- Younger mires are more susceptible to water table fluctuations but can recover their CH4 emission function.
- Hydrological stability is key for sustained CH4 emission function in mature mires.
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