Peatlands and their role in the global carbon cycle

Authors

Zicheng Yu, Lehigh University
D. W. Beilman, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
S. Frolking, University of New Hampshire Durham
G. M. MacDonald, University of California, Los Angeles
N. T. Roulet, Université McGill
P. Camill, Bowdoin College
D. J. Charman, University of Exeter

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Eos

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 (CO ) and methane (CH ) exchange with the atmosphere? These questions remain challenging, but some significant progress has been made recently. 2 4

First Page

97

Last Page

98

DOI

10.1029/2011EO120001

Publication Date

4-20-2011

Recommended Citation

Yu, Zicheng; Beilman, D. W.; Frolking, S.; MacDonald, G. M.; Roulet, N. T.; Camill, P.; and Charman, D. J., "Peatlands and their role in the global carbon cycle" (2011). Earth and Oceanographic Science Faculty Work. 62.
https://digitalcommons.bowdoin.edu/eos-faculty-publications/62