Patterns of Change in the Carbon Balance of Organic Soil-Wetlands of the Temperate Zone

作者：Thomas V. Armentano, Eric S. Menges · 发表于：Journal of Ecology · 年份：1986 · DOI：10.2307/2260396 · 被引用次数：400 · 研究领域：Peatlands and Wetlands Ecology、Soil and Water Nutrient Dynamics、Hydrology and Watershed Management Studies

(1) Organic soil-wetlands, particularly those in the temperate zone, under natural conditions, are net carbon sinks and hence are important links in the global cycling of carbon dioxide and other atmospheric gases. Human alteration of wetlands has brought about shifts in the balance of carbon movement between the wetlands and the atmosphere. Because previous analyses have not fully considered these shifts, disturbance of carbon storage in organic soil-wetlands of the temperate zone has been analysed for the last two centuries and considered in relation to other sources of atmospheric CO2 from the biosphere. (2) Storage before recent disturbance is estimated as 57 to 83 Mt of carbon per year, over two-thirds of this in boreal peatlands. The total storage rate, lower than previous estimates, reflects accumulation rates of carbon of only 0.20 t ha-' yr-1 and less in the boreal zone where 90% of temperate organic soils are found. (3) Widespread drainage of organic soil-wetlands for agriculture has significantly altered the carbon balance. A computer model was used to track the consequent changes in the carbon balance of nine wetland regions. Drainage reduced or eliminated net carbon sinks, converting some wetlands into net carbon sources. Different regions thus can function as smaller carbon sinks, or as sources, depending on the extent of drainage. In either case a shift in carbon balance can be quantified. (4) The net carbon sink in Finland and the U.S.S.R. has been reduced by ...