Does <i>Juncus effusus</i> enhance methane emissions from grazed pastures on peat?

Methane (CH<sub>4</sub>) emissions from drained organic soils are generally low, but internal gas transport in aerenchymatous plants may result in local emission hotspots. In a paired-sample field study at three different sites we measured fluxes of CH<sub>4</sub> with static...

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Main Authors: A. Henneberg, L. Elsgaard, B. K. Sorrell, H. Brix, S. O. Petersen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2015-10-01
Series:Biogeosciences
Online Access:http://www.biogeosciences.net/12/5667/2015/bg-12-5667-2015.pdf
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author A. Henneberg
L. Elsgaard
B. K. Sorrell
H. Brix
S. O. Petersen
author_facet A. Henneberg
L. Elsgaard
B. K. Sorrell
H. Brix
S. O. Petersen
author_sort A. Henneberg
collection DOAJ
description Methane (CH<sub>4</sub>) emissions from drained organic soils are generally low, but internal gas transport in aerenchymatous plants may result in local emission hotspots. In a paired-sample field study at three different sites we measured fluxes of CH<sub>4</sub> with static chambers from adjacent sampling quadrats with and without <i>Juncus effusus</i> during four field campaigns. At all three sites, CH<sub>4</sub> was observed in the soil at all sampling depths (5 to 100 cm), and in most cases both above and below the groundwater table. During spring, local maxima suggested methanogenesis also took place above the water table at all three sites. We found significant CH<sub>4</sub> emissions at all three sites, but emission controls were clearly different. Across the three sites, average emission rates (±1 SE) for sampling quadrats with and without <i>J. effusus</i> were 1.47 ± 0.28 and 1.37 ± 0.33 mg CH<sub>4</sub> m<sup>−2</sup> h<sup>−1</sup>, respectively, with no overall effect of <i>J. effusus</i> on CH<sub>4</sub> emissions. However, a significant effect of <i>J. effusus</i> was seen at one of the three sites. At this site, local CH<sub>4</sub> maxima were closer to the soil surface than at the other sites, and the upper soil layers were dryer. This could have affected both root CH<sub>4</sub> accessibility and CH<sub>4</sub> oxidation respectively, and together with limited gas diffusivity in the soil column, cause elevated CH<sub>4</sub> emissions from <i>J. effusus</i>. We conclude that <i>J. effusus</i> has the potential to act as point sources of CH<sub>4</sub> from drained peatlands, but more studies on the specific conditions under which there is an effect, are needed before the results can be used in modelling of CH<sub>4</sub> emissions.
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spelling doaj.art-27397acdce744e08bb6dae33d1d1e7422022-12-21T18:14:59ZengCopernicus PublicationsBiogeosciences1726-41701726-41892015-10-0112195667567610.5194/bg-12-5667-2015Does <i>Juncus effusus</i> enhance methane emissions from grazed pastures on peat?A. Henneberg0L. Elsgaard1B. K. Sorrell2H. Brix3S. O. Petersen4Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Allé 1, Building 1135, 8000 Aarhus C, DenmarkDepartment of Agroecology, Aarhus University, Blichers allé 20, 8830 Tjele, DenmarkDepartment of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Allé 1, Building 1135, 8000 Aarhus C, DenmarkDepartment of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Allé 1, Building 1135, 8000 Aarhus C, DenmarkDepartment of Agroecology, Aarhus University, Blichers allé 20, 8830 Tjele, DenmarkMethane (CH<sub>4</sub>) emissions from drained organic soils are generally low, but internal gas transport in aerenchymatous plants may result in local emission hotspots. In a paired-sample field study at three different sites we measured fluxes of CH<sub>4</sub> with static chambers from adjacent sampling quadrats with and without <i>Juncus effusus</i> during four field campaigns. At all three sites, CH<sub>4</sub> was observed in the soil at all sampling depths (5 to 100 cm), and in most cases both above and below the groundwater table. During spring, local maxima suggested methanogenesis also took place above the water table at all three sites. We found significant CH<sub>4</sub> emissions at all three sites, but emission controls were clearly different. Across the three sites, average emission rates (±1 SE) for sampling quadrats with and without <i>J. effusus</i> were 1.47 ± 0.28 and 1.37 ± 0.33 mg CH<sub>4</sub> m<sup>−2</sup> h<sup>−1</sup>, respectively, with no overall effect of <i>J. effusus</i> on CH<sub>4</sub> emissions. However, a significant effect of <i>J. effusus</i> was seen at one of the three sites. At this site, local CH<sub>4</sub> maxima were closer to the soil surface than at the other sites, and the upper soil layers were dryer. This could have affected both root CH<sub>4</sub> accessibility and CH<sub>4</sub> oxidation respectively, and together with limited gas diffusivity in the soil column, cause elevated CH<sub>4</sub> emissions from <i>J. effusus</i>. We conclude that <i>J. effusus</i> has the potential to act as point sources of CH<sub>4</sub> from drained peatlands, but more studies on the specific conditions under which there is an effect, are needed before the results can be used in modelling of CH<sub>4</sub> emissions.http://www.biogeosciences.net/12/5667/2015/bg-12-5667-2015.pdf
spellingShingle A. Henneberg
L. Elsgaard
B. K. Sorrell
H. Brix
S. O. Petersen
Does <i>Juncus effusus</i> enhance methane emissions from grazed pastures on peat?
Biogeosciences
title Does <i>Juncus effusus</i> enhance methane emissions from grazed pastures on peat?
title_full Does <i>Juncus effusus</i> enhance methane emissions from grazed pastures on peat?
title_fullStr Does <i>Juncus effusus</i> enhance methane emissions from grazed pastures on peat?
title_full_unstemmed Does <i>Juncus effusus</i> enhance methane emissions from grazed pastures on peat?
title_short Does <i>Juncus effusus</i> enhance methane emissions from grazed pastures on peat?
title_sort does i juncus effusus i enhance methane emissions from grazed pastures on peat
url http://www.biogeosciences.net/12/5667/2015/bg-12-5667-2015.pdf
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