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- Title
A mesocosm study of the role of the sedge Eriophorum angustifolium in the efflux of methane-including that due to episodic ebullition-from peatlands.
- Authors
Green, Sophie; Baird, Andy
- Abstract
Background & Aim: Vascular plants may reduce episodic ebullition losses of methane (CH) from peatlands. They transport CH to the atmosphere, which may lead to a reduction in pore-water [CH], bubble formation and release. This effect may be compounded by rhizospheric oxidation and associated methanotrophy. However, any reduction in pore-water [CH] may be countered by root exudation (substrate for methanogens). The aim of this study was to determine how the presence of sedges affects CH emissions from peatlands. Methods: Five pairs of peat cores were collected from a raised bog. One of each pair contained Sphagnum cuspidatum and Eriophorum angustifolium ('sedge' cores); the other was dominated by S. cuspidatum ('no-sedge'). From these the total CH efflux-including that due to episodic ebullition-were measured. A partial-shading treatment helped isolate the potential effect of root exudation. Results: Sedge samples had significantly higher CH fluxes than no-sedge samples, but episodic-ebullition fluxes were not significantly different. Between full-light and partially-shaded conditions, there was a significant increase in the difference in CH fluxes between the sedge and no-sedge cores. Conclusion: The higher rates of CH flux from the sedge cores cannot be explained simply by higher rates of CH production due to rapid utilisation of exudates.
- Subjects
PEATLAND ecology; ERIOPHORUM angustifolium; EBULLITION; VASCULAR plants; METHANOTROPHS; PLANT-soil relationships
- Publication
Plant & Soil, 2012, Vol 351, Issue 1/2, p207
- ISSN
0032-079X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s11104-011-0945-1