CO2, CH4 and N2O Fluxes From a Drained Bog Grassland Along Soil Carbon and Moisture Gradients

Authors:
K. Leiber-Sauheitl, C. Voigt, R. Fuß, A. Freibauer

Book:
Proceedings of the 14th International Peat Congress

Venue:
Stockholm

Keywords:
emission-factors, greenhouse-gases, organic-soils, peat-bog, small-scale-gradients

Documentfile:
Leiber-Sauheitl et al 2012: CO2, CH4 and N2O Fluxes From a Drained Bog Grassland Along Soil Carbon and Moisture Gradients

Summary:

Theme X. Peatland carbon budgets and greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes

SUMMARY

The joint research project “Organic soils” aims at closing the data gap on the contribution of organic soils to German total GHG fluxes by monitoring emissions from eleven catchments.
The former peat bog Grosses Moor (Gifhorn, Lower Saxony) has been altered by drainage and peat cutting. Current cultivation is grassland under extensive agricultural use. The study focused on the measurement of CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O fluxes with manual static chambers. In particular, the influence of different soil organic carbon contents (SOC) and ground water levels on greenhouse gas emissions was studied.
In 2011, CO₂ was the most important greenhouse gas. CH₄ and N₂O fluxes were on a low level as could be expected due to site conditions. Emissions were highly influenced by the groundwater table. Highest CO₂ emissions occurred at water tables 40-50 cm below ground level, temperatures above 10°C and low plant biomass values. In comparison to other factors, SOC was of minor importance.