Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Julien Arsenault, Julie Talbot, Lee E. Brown, Manuel Helbig, Joseph Holden, Jorge Hoyos-Santillan, Emilie Jolin, Roy Mackenzie, Karla Martinez-Cruz, Armando Sepulveda-Jauregui, Jean-Francois Lapierre
Summary: Peatland pools are dynamic aquatic ecosystems that contribute to biogeochemical cycles, but their response to environmental change is poorly understood. This study analyzed pool biogeochemical data from multiple locations to determine the drivers of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus dynamics in peatland pools. Climate and terrain were found to explain variations in pool biogeochemistry, with climate driving spatial differences in dissolved organic carbon concentration. The study also demonstrated the reactivity of peatland pools to local and global environmental change. These findings highlight the importance of understanding and monitoring peatland pool dynamics as potential climate sentinels.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Water Resources
Gerardo Flores Llampazo, Euridice N. Honorio Coronado, Jhon del Aguila-Pasquel, Cesar J. Cordova Oroche, Antenor Diaz Narvaez, Jose Reyna Huaymacari, Julio Grandez Rios, Ian T. Lawson, Adam Hastie, Andy J. Baird, Timothy R. Baker
Summary: This study investigates the ecohydrological controls of the peat-forming wetland forests in northern Peruvian Amazonia, by measuring water table depth, pH, and electrical conductivity. The results show that flood levels and pH are related to tree species composition, while the presence of peat is linked to maximum water table depth.
HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
R. K. Braghiere, J. B. Fisher, R. A. Fisher, M. Shi, B. S. Steidinger, B. N. Sulman, N. A. Soudzilovskaia, X. Yang, J. Liang, K. G. Peay, T. W. Crowther, R. P. Phillips
Summary: The study found that the distribution of mycorrhizal fungi has a significant impact on global carbon and nutrient cycling. As soil nitrogen becomes more limited, the costs for plants to acquire nitrogen through mycorrhizae have increased at a faster rate, suggesting that nutrient acquisition will increasingly rely on a higher portion of assimilated carbon to support productivity.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
S. Apers, G. J. M. De Lannoy, A. J. Baird, A. R. Cobb, G. C. Dargie, J. Pasquel, A. Gruber, A. Hastie, H. Hidayat, T. Hirano, A. M. Hoyt, A. J. Jovani-Sancho, A. Katimon, A. Kurnain, R. D. Koster, M. Lampela, S. P. P. Mahanama, L. Melling, S. E. Page, R. H. Reichle, M. Taufik, J. Vanderborght, M. Bechtold
Summary: Tropical peatlands are carbon-dense ecosystems and their water storage dynamics have a significant impact on carbon stocks. This study integrated hydrology modules specific to tropical peatlands into a global land surface model. The performance of the model was evaluated using in situ water level and evapotranspiration data, showing overall improvements compared to the default model. However, there were regional differences in performance, likely due to variations in meteorological data accuracy and unaccounted-for peatland hydrologic response.
JOURNAL OF ADVANCES IN MODELING EARTH SYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
David Bruce Lewis, Kristine L. Jimenez, Amr Abd-Elrahman, Michael G. Andreu, Shawn M. Landry, Robert J. Northrop, Cassandra Campbell, Hilary Flower, Mark C. Rains, Christina L. Richards
Summary: In subtropical regions, climate change is causing a shift from woody mangrove forests to herbaceous saltmarshes, impacting soil carbon and nitrogen pools. Research in west-central Florida found that organic fractions were more concentrated in mangrove surface soil, scaling positively with soil organic matter and fine mineral particle concentrations, which tended to be higher in mangrove soil due to lower elevation and greater fine particle content. Active C and extractable mineral N were slightly higher in mangrove soil, but total N and C did not show significant differences between zones. Additionally, extractable organic fractions composed a greater proportion of total C and N pools in mangrove surface soils, pointing towards potential implications for nutrient cycling and ecosystem function.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Minkyoung Kim, Jeomshik Hwang, Guebuem Kim, Taehee Na, Tae-Hoon Kim, Jung-Ho Hyun
Summary: This paper summarizes the current understanding of carbon cycling in the East Sea, with a focus on the Ulleung Basin. The East Sea exhibits notable features in carbon cycling, such as higher primary productivity and export/production ratio compared to the adjacent Pacific, and vulnerability to acidification in the deep waters. Temporal trends observed over the past few decades provide valuable insights into slower processes in the oceans.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shokoufeh Salimi, Miklas Scholz
Summary: Water purification is essential to wetlands, but climate change may have varying effects on peatlands and constructed wetlands. Warmer conditions could lead to different responses in terms of water quality, with constructed wetlands benefiting from a higher purification function under extreme climate scenarios while peatlands may deteriorate.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nicole E. Balliston, Jonathan S. Price
Summary: The depositional history of the Hudson Bay Lowlands in Ontario, Canada has created one of the largest peatland complexes in the world. However, the high volume dewatering associated with resource extraction has impacted the hydrophysical structure and function of the peatlands. This study quantifies the changes in water table depth and subsidence related to mine dewatering and discusses the long-term implications of these impacts.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Catharine Pschenyckyj, Thomas Donahue, Mary Kelly-Quinn, Connie O'Driscoll, Florence Renou-Wilson
Summary: Currently, 50% of Irish rivers do not meet water quality standards, with many declining due to numerous pressures, including peatland degradation. This study examines the water quality of streams in the Irish midlands, where raised bogs have been heavily disturbed and drained for peat extraction. The results show that degraded bogs have higher levels of pollutants in their small streams compared to near-natural bogs, with elevated levels of total dissolved nitrogen, sulphate, and electrical conductivity. The study highlights the need for management instruments and routine monitoring to improve water quality in the region and protect the valuable peatland ecosystem.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Etienne Fluet-Chouinard, Benjamin D. Stocker, Zhen Zhang, Avni Malhotra, Joe R. Melton, Benjamin Poulter, Jed O. Kaplan, Kees Klein Goldewijk, Stefan Siebert, Tatiana Minayeva, Gustaf Hugelius, Hans Joosten, Alexandra Barthelmes, Catherine Prigent, Filipe Aires, Alison M. Hoyt, Nick Davidson, C. Max Finlayson, Bernhard Lehner, Robert B. Jackson, Peter B. McIntyre
Summary: Wetlands have been drained for human use, causing significant impact on multiple aspects including greenhouse gas fluxes, flood control, nutrient cycling, and biodiversity. However, the extent of natural wetland loss globally has remained uncertain. In this study, the researchers reconstructed the spatial distribution and timing of wetland loss from 1700 to 2020, and estimated that approximately 3.4 million km2 of inland wetlands, primarily for croplands, have been lost since 1700, accounting for a net loss of 21% of global wetland area. The study highlights the concentration of wetland loss in Europe, the United States, and China, and provides a valuable historical baseline for assessing the impact of wetland loss and guiding conservation planning and restoration efforts.
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ralph J. M. Temmink, Leon P. M. Lamers, Christine Angelini, Tjeerd J. Bouma, Christian Fritz, Johan van de Koppel, Robin Lexmond, Max Rietkerk, Brian R. Silliman, Hans Joosten, Tjisse van der Heide
Summary: Biogeomorphic wetlands, covering only 1% of Earth's surface, store 20% of ecosystem organic carbon. However, human activities are causing rapid declines in the area of these wetlands, emphasizing the need for conservation and restoration.
Article
Water Resources
Yaser Hoseini
Summary: Statistical analysis of saturated hydraulic conductivity is crucial for water resource projects. The Kriging method is used to estimate variables such as hydraulic conductivity. The results show that the simple kriging method has the highest accuracy in modeling the saturated hydraulic conductivity function.
APPLIED WATER SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Camille Richon, Alessandro Tagliabue
Summary: Recycling by zooplankton is an important process in the upper ocean, influenced by various factors. The response of micronutrient recycling to climate change is complex, with different drivers playing a role in different regions. Regional changes in recycling rates and stoichiometry under climate change highlight the potential for novel feedbacks in surface ocean biogeochemistry.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kavi M. Heerah, Heather E. Reader
Summary: This study used Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to identify and quantify iron-binding ligands in a boreal river in Canada. The results show that there are two pools of organic ligands with different behaviors towards iron across a salinity gradient. The stronger ligands play a significant role in providing iron to the coastal and marine environment, while the weaker ligands contribute to iron uptake by flocculation at low salinities.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Limnology
Kristen A. Coleman, Grace N. Hoskin, Laura Chasmer, Joshua R. Thienpont, William L. Quinton, Jennifer B. Korosi
Summary: The study aims to provide the first limnological characterization of shallow lakes in the Scotty Creek basin, Canada. The results indicate that dissolved organic carbon and lake color are not correlated, which seems to be an important driver of diatom assemblages in these lakes.
Article
Engineering, Civil
Vitaly Golubev, Colin McCarter, Pete Whittington
Summary: This study highlighted significant differences in the relationship between soil water content and hydraulic conductivity at different depths and among different moss species. The experiment indicated that 3x5 cm samples were preferred for studying soil water characteristics. Additionally, simulation of a drought period revealed different responses to water stress between S. fuscum and S. magellanicum.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Bin Xu, Line Rochefort, Melanie Bird, Bhupesh Khadka, Maria Strack
Summary: The study successfully adapted the moss layer transfer technique (MLTT) to restore an in-situ oil sands well-pad in northwestern Alberta, Canada, with 63% of the site now covered in peatland vegetation three years after implementation. Different substrate adjustment treatments and types of donor moss had little impact on vegetation development, highlighting the importance of surface elevation, moisture conditions, and substrate chemistry in shaping vegetation communities.
RESTORATION ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Alexandra Engering, Scott J. Davidson, Bin Xu, Melanie Bird, Line Rochefort, Maria Strack
Summary: This study investigated the performance of restored well-pads in terms of greenhouse gas exchange after different soil adjustment treatments. Results showed that all treatments effectively recreated the soil surface needed to support peatland vegetation growth, leading the sites towards functioning as net carbon sinks.
RESTORATION ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Scott J. Davidson, Ellie M. Goud, Avni Malhotra, Claire O. Estey, Percy Korsah, Maria Strack
Summary: The study revealed that peatlands intersected by seismic lines tend to have an earlier seasonal peak, with vegetation communities showing a stronger relationship to greenness and gross primary production in disturbed areas compared to undisturbed areas. This change in understory vegetation results in greater CO2 uptake in disturbed areas.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-BIOGEOSCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Megan Schmidt, Scott J. Davidson, Maria Strack
Summary: Oil and gas exploration have caused significant disturbances in boreal peatlands in Canada, resulting in the formation of seismic lines and preventing tree re-establishment. Restoration efforts have focused on mechanical mounding to support tree growth, but little is known about the impact of seismic line disturbance and restoration on peatland carbon cycling. This study found that restoration treatments increased methane emissions and had negative effects on carbon cycling.
WETLANDS ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kelly A. Nugent, Ian B. Strachan, Maria Strack, Nigel T. Roulet, Lena Strom, Jeffrey P. Chanton
Summary: Human activities causing peatland degradation are increasing atmospheric CO2 levels, but active restoration involving rewetting and vegetation reestablishment has been shown to successfully restore net CO2 uptake rates and reduce CH4 emissions.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-BIOGEOSCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Kimberly Kleinke, Scott J. Davidson, Megan Schmidt, Bin Xu, Maria Strack
Summary: Seismic line restoration has significant impacts on wildlife and ecosystem function, but it may alter ecosystem function when applied in peatlands. Preserving the peat profile in mounding methods may support faster recovery of ecosystem function.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF FOREST RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Scott J. Davidson, Emily Daze, Eunji Byun, Dean Hiler, Markus Kangur, Julie Talbot, Sarah A. Finkelstein, Maria Strack
Summary: This study provides a comparative analysis of carbon dynamics in different types of North American swamps, highlighting differences in carbon fluxes, biomass, and net primary productivity. The findings suggest that broad-leaved swamps have the highest methane flux, soil bulk densities, and lowest organic matter contents, while needle-leaved swamps have the highest aboveground biomass and net primary productivity. Despite the abundance of swamps in Canada and the United States, there is a significant lack of studies focused on swamp carbon dynamics.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ellie M. Goud, Sabrina Touchette, Ian B. Strachan, Maria Strack
Summary: One metric of peatland restoration success is re-establishing a carbon sink, but there is uncertainty around the time-scale of carbon sink trajectories. Post-restoration conditions may promote the growth of vascular plants like graminoids, with differences in plant traits affecting greenhouse gas fluxes. This study evaluated functional variation among graminoid species and found that differences in gas fluxes were primarily driven by leaf physiology and secondarily by plant size. Functional groups based on plant traits and carbon fluxes were identified, offering insights for future applications in peatland restoration.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Meike Lemmer, Bin Xu, Maria Strack, Line Rochefort
Summary: This study evaluated the efficiency of different restoration techniques for peatland ecosystems following oil mining activities in Alberta, Canada. The results suggest that partial removal of mineral fill from in situ well pads and hydrological connection to nearby peatlands can most effectively restore peatland functions and plant species diversity.
RESTORATION ECOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Water Resources
Peter N. Whittington, Andrew Ireson, Christopher Spence
HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES
(2022)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Maria Strack, Scott J. Davidson, Takashi Hirano, Christian Dunn
Summary: Despite covering only 3% of the land surface, peatlands serve as the largest terrestrial organic carbon storage and continue to act as a carbon sink. Protecting and restoring peatlands, as well as reducing future development, are crucial for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Peatland management offers potential climate solutions, including significant emission reductions, while also providing additional benefits such as biodiversity protection and mitigation of land subsidence and fire severity.
CURRENT CLIMATE CHANGE REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
P. J. Morris, M. L. Davies, A. J. Baird, N. Balliston, M-A Bourgault, R. S. Clymo, R. E. Fewster, A. K. Furukawa, J. Holden, E. Kessel, S. J. Ketcheson, B. Klove, M. Larocque, H. Marttila, M. W. Menberu, P. A. Moore, J. S. Price, A-K Ronkanen, E. Rosa, M. Strack, B. W. J. Surridge, J. M. Waddington, P. Whittington, S. L. Wilkinson
Summary: This study conducted a meta-analysis of northern peat samples and developed linear models to predict peat saturated hydraulic conductivity (K-sat) based on other variables such as depth, dry bulk density, humification, surface microform type, and peatland trophic type. The models showed that K-sat decreases with increasing depth and dry bulk density, while it increases along the trophic gradient. Dry bulk density and humification were found to be particularly important predictors. The models allow for improved estimation of peat K-sat using simpler, cheaper measurements.
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Water Resources
Emily Prystupa, Scott J. J. Davidson, Jonathan Price, Maria Strack
Summary: In northern Alberta, oil sands mining has a negative impact on the boreal landscape, and peatland construction is being tested for reclamation purposes. Understanding the cycling of solutes and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is crucial in determining the self-sustainability of constructed peatlands. This study focused on measuring DOC concentration, quality, and sodium (Na+) levels in the rooting zone of Nikanotee Fen to evaluate the role of Na+ in DOC dynamics. The results suggest that vegetation inputs are the main source of DOC in the fen, and elevated Na+ levels may lead to increased carbon export.
HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Kimberly Kleinke, Scott J. Davidson, Megan Schmidt, Bin Xu, Maria Strack
Summary: Seismic line restoration has significant consequences to wildlife and ecosystem function in boreal Canada. Restoration in peatlands can alter hydrology and carbon storage. Mechanical mounding is a common restoration method, but it may reduce substrate quality and vegetation cover. New mounding methods that maintain the peat profile show promise in preserving ecosystem function.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF FOREST RESEARCH
(2022)
