Vascular plant‐mediated controls on atmospheric carbon assimilation and peat carbon decomposition under climate change

• DOI: 10.1111/gcb.14140
• Publication Date: 2018-03-23T11:26:55Z
• Authors: Konstantin Gavazov; Remy Albrecht; Alexandre Buttler; Ellen Dorrepaal; Mark H. Garnett; Sebastien Gogo; Frank Hagedorn; Robert T. E. Mills; Bjorn J. M. Robroek; Luca Bragazza
• Keywords: Carbon sink

Climate change can alter peatland plant community composition by promoting the growth of vascular plants. How such vegetation affects carbon dynamics remains, however, unclear. In order to assess effect on uptake and release, we performed a plant-removal experiment in two Sphagnum-dominated peatlands that represent contrasting stages natural succession along climatic gradient. Periodic measurements net ecosystem CO2 exchange revealed plants play crucial role assuring potential for uptake, particularly with warmer climate. The presence plants, also increased respiration, using seasonal variation respired radiocarbon (bomb-14 C) signature demonstrate an enhanced heterotrophic decomposition peat due rhizosphere priming. observed priming was matched more advanced humification dissolved organic matter, which remained apparent beyond growing season. Our results underline relevance peatlands, especially when assessing future sink function undergoing shift association climate change.