Peatlands and Their Role in the Global Carbon Cycle

Authors

Zicheng Yu, Lehigh University
D W. Beilman, University of Hawaii, ManoaFollow
Steve Frolking, University of New Hampshire - Main CampusFollow
Glenn M. MacDonald, University of California, Los Angeles
Nigel T. Roulet, McGill University
Philip Camill, Bowdoin College
D J. Charman, University of Exeter

Abstract

Global peatlands store a very large carbon (C) pool located within a few meters of the atmosphere. Thus, peatland-atmosphere C exchange should be a major concern to global change scientists: Will large amounts of respired belowground C be released in a warmer climate, causing the climate to further warm (a positive climate feedback)? Will more C be sequestered due to increased plant growth in a warmer climate? How will land use change, fires, and permafrost thaw affect the magnitude and direction of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄) exchange with the atmosphere? These questions remain challenging, but some significant progress has been made recently.

Department

Earth Sciences, Earth Systems Research Center

Publication Date

3-22-2011

Journal Title

EOS, Transactions American Geophysical Union

Publisher

American Geophysical Union Publications

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1029/2011EO120001

Document Type

Article

Recommended Citation

Yu, Z., D. W.Beilman, S.Frolking, G. M.MacDonald, N. T.Roulet, P.Camill and D. J.Charman (2011), Peatlands and Their Role in the Global Carbon Cycle, Eos Trans. AGU, 92(12), 97.

Rights

Copyright 2011 by the American Geophysical Union