High methane emissions dominated annual greenhouse gas balances 30 years after bog rewetting

摘要: Abstract. Natural peatlands are important carbon sinks and sources of methane (CH4). In contrast, drained turn from a sink to source potentially emit nitrous oxide (N2O). Rewetting thus implies climate change mitigation. However, data about the time span that is needed for re-establishment function by restoration scarce. We therefore investigated annual greenhouse gas (GHG) balances three differently vegetated sites bog ecosystem 30 years after rewetting. All vegetation communities turned out be dioxide (CO2) ranging between 0.6 ± 1.43 t CO2 ha−2 yr−1 (Sphagnum-dominated vegetation) 3.09 3.86 (vegetation dominated heath). While accounting different global warming potential (GWP) CO2, CH4 N2O, GHG balance was calculated. Emissions ranged 25 53 CO2-eq ha−1 were large emissions (22–51 yr−1), with highest rates found at purple moor grass (Molinia caerulea) stands. These our knowledge so far reported ecosystems in temperate Europe. As restored area subject fluctuations water table, we assume high emission caused combination both temporal inundation easily decomposable plant litter plant-mediated transport through its tissues. addition, as result land use history, mixed soil material due peat extraction refilling can serve an explanation. With regards long passed since rewetting, note initial increase rewetting described literature not inevitably limited short-term period.