Influence of Warming and Water Level Drawdown on the Stability of Peatland Carbon Stock
Huang Xianyu
Zhang Yiming
Xue Jiantao
Yu Xiaofang
Abstract：Peatlands play a crucial role in the global carbon cycle by storing carbon,but they are also a major source of methane emissions.Understanding how climate change affects the stability of carbon stores in peatlands is a key area of research.This review examines the effects of factors such as warming and fluctuations in water levels on the stability of carbon stores in peatlands,as well as the role of plants in responding to warming and drought.Research indicates that peatland carbon stocks are highly sensitive to warming,with decomposition rates increasing significantly in the aerobic layer with even slight temperature increases.The anaerobic layer requires greater temperature increases and longer periods to show significant decomposition.Warming also leads to an increase in the CH4/CO2 ratio,which can enhance the global warming potential of peatlands.Changes in water levels are a key factor affecting peatland carbon cycling,as drought events not only directly result in enhanced CO2 emissions but can also indirectly impact carbon store stability through wildfires.Studies have shown that vascular plants can also play a role in releasing old carbon.Future research should focus on developing in-situ observation techniques for metabolic products,examining geological records of extreme climate events,and understanding the response and feedback mechanisms of peatland carbon stores under changing climate conditions.
Keywords：stability of carbon stockwarmingwater level drawdownplant mediationutilization of metabolic productcarbon cycleclimate change
Publication Date：2025-03-14
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：11( 846-856 )