Abstract
• Peatlands in the northern hemisphere have accumulated more atmospheric carbon (C) during the Holocene than any other terrestrial ecosystem, making peatlands long-term C sinks of global importance. Projected increases in nitrogen (N) deposition and temperature make future accumulation rates uncertain.• Here, we assessed the impact of N deposition on peatland C sequestration potential by investigating the effects of experimental N addition on Sphagnum moss. We employed meta-regressions to the results of 107 field experiments, accounting for sampling dependence in the data.• We found that high N loading (comprising N application rate, experiment duration, background N deposition) depressed Sphagnum production relative to untreated controls. The interactive effects of presence of competitive vascular plants and high tissue N concentrations indicated intensified biotic interactions and altered nutrient stochiometry as mechanisms underlying the detrimental N effects. Importantly, a higher summer temperature (mean for July) and increasedannual precipitation intensified the negative effects of N. The temperature effect was comparable to an experimental application of almost 4 g N m-2 yr-1 for each 1°C increase.• Our results indicate that current rates of N deposition in a warmer environment will strongly inhibit C sequestration by Sphagnum-dominated vegetation
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 496-507 |
Journal | New Phytologist |
Volume | 191 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2011 |
Keywords
- global change
- nutritional constraints
- terrestrial ecosystems
- carbon accumulation
- species richness
- ombrotrophic bog
- vascular plants
- n deposition
- water-table
- growth
Fingerprint Dive into the research topics of 'Climatic modifiers of the response to nitrogen deposition in peat-forming Sphagnum mosses: a meta-analysis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
Projects
-
ESS-CC
Project: Other