While a stimulating effect of plant primary productivity on soil carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions has been well documented, links between gross primary productivity (GPP) and wetland methane (CH4) emissions are less well investigated. Determination of the influence of primary productivity on wetland CH4emissions (FCH4) is complicated by confounding influences of water table level and temperature on CH4production, which also vary seasonally. Here, we evaluate the link between preceding GPP and subsequent FCH4at two fens in Wisconsin using eddy covariance flux towers, Lost Creek (US‐Los) and Allequash Creek (US‐ALQ). Both wetlands are mosaics of forested and shrub wetlands, with US‐Los being larger in scale and having a more open canopy. Co‐located sites with multi‐year observations of flux, hydrology, and meteorology provide an opportunity to measure and compare lag effects on FCH4without interference due to differing climate. Daily average FCH4from US‐Los reached a maximum of 47.7 ηmol CH4m−2 s−1during the study period, while US‐ALQ was more than double at 117.9 ηmol CH4 m−2 s−1. The lagged influence of GPP on temperature‐normalized FCH4(
A major source of uncertainty in the global methane budget arises from quantifying the area of wetlands and other inland waters. This study addresses how the dynamics of surface water extent in forested wetlands affect the calculation of methane emissions. We used fine resolution satellite imagery acquired at sub‐weekly intervals together with a semiempirical methane emissions model to estimate daily surface water extent and diffusive methane fluxes for a low‐relief wetland‐rich watershed. Comparisons of surface water model predictions to field measurements showed agreement with the magnitude of changes in water extent, including for wetlands with surface area less than 1,000 m2. Results of methane emission models showed that wetlands smaller than 1 hectare (10,000 m2) were responsible for a majority of emissions, and that considering dynamic inundation of forested wetlands resulted in 49%–62% lower emission totals compared to models using a single estimate for each wetland’s size.
more » « less- NSF-PAR ID:
- 10402889
- Publisher / Repository:
- DOI PREFIX: 10.1029
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Geophysical Research Letters
- Volume:
- 48
- Issue:
- 6
- ISSN:
- 0094-8276
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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