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Long-Term Nitrogen Addition Eliminates the Cooling Effect on Climate in a Temperate Peatland
1Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Coal-Based Greenhouse Gas Control and Utilization, School of Environment and Spatial Informatics, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China.
Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
|April 26, 2025
Summary
Long-term nitrogen (N) addition turns peatlands from carbon sinks into sources by harming mosses and increasing methane. This research highlights the threat to peatlands' crucial global cooling function.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Ecology
- Biogeochemistry
Background:
- Peatlands are vital for global carbon sequestration.
- The impact of long-term nitrogen (N) deposition on peatland carbon cycling is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of simulated N addition on carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) fluxes in a temperate peatland over 12 years.
Main Methods:
- In situ monitoring of CO2 and CH4 fluxes.
- Simulated nitrogen (N) addition over a 12-year period.
- Assessment of plant community changes, including Sphagnum mosses and graminoids.
Main Results:
- Nitrogen addition significantly reduced net ecosystem exchange (NEE), causing a shift from carbon sink to source.
- Aboveground plant productivity declined due to suppressed Sphagnum mosses, with some experiencing mortality.
- Increased graminoid cover did not offset carbon uptake losses and led to higher CH4 emissions.
Conclusions:
- Sustained nitrogen deposition diminishes the carbon sequestration capacity of peatlands.
- This reduction in function weakens the global cooling effect provided by peatlands.
- Peatland ecosystems are vulnerable to nitrogen pollution, impacting their role in climate regulation.
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