A simple field method for estimating the mass of organic carbon stored in undisturbed wetland soils
We have compiled a large dataset of peat and soil cores from temperate and boreal regions of eastern Canada to develop a simple field method for estimating the mass of soil organic carbon (SOC) stored in undisturbed wetlands (peatlands, swamps and marshes). We show that it is possible to predict the...
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International Mire Conservation Group and International Peatland Society
2023-02-01
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Series: | Mires and Peat |
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Online Access: | http://mires-and-peat.net/media/map29/map29_08.pdf |
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author | Gabriel Magnan Michelle Garneau Joannie Beaulne Martin Lavoie Stéphanie Pellerin Léonie Perrier Pierre J.H. Richard Nicole Sanderson |
author_facet | Gabriel Magnan Michelle Garneau Joannie Beaulne Martin Lavoie Stéphanie Pellerin Léonie Perrier Pierre J.H. Richard Nicole Sanderson |
author_sort | Gabriel Magnan |
collection | DOAJ |
description | We have compiled a large dataset of peat and soil cores from temperate and boreal regions of eastern Canada to develop a simple field method for estimating the mass of soil organic carbon (SOC) stored in undisturbed wetlands (peatlands, swamps and marshes). We show that it is possible to predict the SOC mass in different wetland types by measuring the organic-rich soil layer thickness in the field. Using this new dataset, we found that SOC mass can be estimated either by using the linear regression equation between peat or soil thickness and SOC mass or by multiplying peat or soil thickness by a mean SOC density. We also show that SOC mass can be estimated by determining the degree of peat humification in the northern peatlands investigated. In this dataset, the precision of estimates is higher for peatlands than mineral wetlands (marshes and swamps), mainly due to the lack of empirical soil core data. The simple approach proposed here could be applied in different wetland regions worldwide where carbon density data from soil cores are available. This cost- and time-efficient method could benefit regional or national-scale carbon inventories. |
first_indexed | 2024-03-12T18:49:04Z |
format | Article |
id | doaj.art-dd2c7309a2d74c43ab58fb585a2ccad6 |
institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 1819-754X |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-03-12T18:49:04Z |
publishDate | 2023-02-01 |
publisher | International Mire Conservation Group and International Peatland Society |
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series | Mires and Peat |
spelling | doaj.art-dd2c7309a2d74c43ab58fb585a2ccad62023-08-02T07:26:22ZengInternational Mire Conservation Group and International Peatland SocietyMires and Peat1819-754X2023-02-01290811310.19189/MaP.2022.OMB.Sc.1818931A simple field method for estimating the mass of organic carbon stored in undisturbed wetland soilsGabriel Magnan0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7758-6922Michelle Garneau1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1956-9243Joannie Beaulne2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5889-6757Martin Lavoie3https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2348-7686Stéphanie Pellerin4https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5148-1065Léonie Perrier5https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7091-1748Pierre J.H. Richard6https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5052-4046Nicole Sanderson7https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2225-8446Geotop Research Centre and Département de géographie, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), CanadaGeotop Research Centre and Département de géographie, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), CanadaGeotop Research Centre, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), CanadaDépartement de géographie and Centre d’études nordiques, Université Laval, Québec City, CanadaInstitut de recherche en biologie végétale, Université de Montréal and Jardin botanique de Montréal, CanadaGeotop Research Centre, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), CanadaDépartement de géographie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, CanadaDépartement de géographie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, CanadaWe have compiled a large dataset of peat and soil cores from temperate and boreal regions of eastern Canada to develop a simple field method for estimating the mass of soil organic carbon (SOC) stored in undisturbed wetlands (peatlands, swamps and marshes). We show that it is possible to predict the SOC mass in different wetland types by measuring the organic-rich soil layer thickness in the field. Using this new dataset, we found that SOC mass can be estimated either by using the linear regression equation between peat or soil thickness and SOC mass or by multiplying peat or soil thickness by a mean SOC density. We also show that SOC mass can be estimated by determining the degree of peat humification in the northern peatlands investigated. In this dataset, the precision of estimates is higher for peatlands than mineral wetlands (marshes and swamps), mainly due to the lack of empirical soil core data. The simple approach proposed here could be applied in different wetland regions worldwide where carbon density data from soil cores are available. This cost- and time-efficient method could benefit regional or national-scale carbon inventories.http://mires-and-peat.net/media/map29/map29_08.pdfcarbon storageeastern canadapeat humificationsoil coressoil organic carbon |
spellingShingle | Gabriel Magnan Michelle Garneau Joannie Beaulne Martin Lavoie Stéphanie Pellerin Léonie Perrier Pierre J.H. Richard Nicole Sanderson A simple field method for estimating the mass of organic carbon stored in undisturbed wetland soils Mires and Peat carbon storage eastern canada peat humification soil cores soil organic carbon |
title | A simple field method for estimating the mass of organic carbon stored in undisturbed wetland soils |
title_full | A simple field method for estimating the mass of organic carbon stored in undisturbed wetland soils |
title_fullStr | A simple field method for estimating the mass of organic carbon stored in undisturbed wetland soils |
title_full_unstemmed | A simple field method for estimating the mass of organic carbon stored in undisturbed wetland soils |
title_short | A simple field method for estimating the mass of organic carbon stored in undisturbed wetland soils |
title_sort | simple field method for estimating the mass of organic carbon stored in undisturbed wetland soils |
topic | carbon storage eastern canada peat humification soil cores soil organic carbon |
url | http://mires-and-peat.net/media/map29/map29_08.pdf |
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