Effects of water table position and plant functional group on plant community, aboveground production, and peat properties in a peatland mesocosm experiment (PEATcosm)

摘要: Our objective was to assess the impacts of water table position and plant functional type on peat structure, community composition aboveground production. We initiated a full factorial experiment with 2 (WT) treatments (high low) 3 groups (PFG: sedge, Ericaceae, sedge Ericaceae- unmanipulated) in twenty-four 1 m3 intact peatland mesocosms. measured vegetation cover, production, subsidence analyze interactive PFG WT effects. Sphagnum rubellum cover increased under high WT, while Polytrichum low only PFGs. production greatest vascular greater treatments. There an x effect Ericaceae Lowered resulted significant surface change subsidence. were effects net accumulation, lowest rates The shift balance leading lowered predicted changing climate could impact would likely result peat.