Post-thaw variability in litter decomposition best explained by microtopography at an ice-rich permafrost peatland
Litter decomposition, a key process by which recently fixed carbon is lost from ecosystems, is a function of environmental conditions and plant community characteristics. In ice-rich peatlands, permafrost thaw introduces high variability in both abiotic and biotic factors, both of which may affect l...
Published in: | Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research |
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Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2018
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Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1080/15230430.2017.1415622 https://doaj.org/article/39ec565197374ced9070c9bf60f4900b |
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fttriple:oai:gotriple.eu:oai:doaj.org/article:39ec565197374ced9070c9bf60f4900b 2023-05-15T14:14:19+02:00 Post-thaw variability in litter decomposition best explained by microtopography at an ice-rich permafrost peatland Avni Malhotra Tim R. Moore Juul Limpens Nigel T. Roulet 2018-01-01 https://doi.org/10.1080/15230430.2017.1415622 https://doaj.org/article/39ec565197374ced9070c9bf60f4900b en eng Taylor & Francis Group 1523-0430 1938-4246 doi:10.1080/15230430.2017.1415622 https://doaj.org/article/39ec565197374ced9070c9bf60f4900b undefined Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research, Vol 50, Iss 1 (2018) discontinuous permafrost zone litter decomposition microtopography peatland permafrost thaw geo envir Journal Article https://vocabularies.coar-repositories.org/resource_types/c_6501/ 2018 fttriple https://doi.org/10.1080/15230430.2017.1415622 2023-01-22T19:25:28Z Litter decomposition, a key process by which recently fixed carbon is lost from ecosystems, is a function of environmental conditions and plant community characteristics. In ice-rich peatlands, permafrost thaw introduces high variability in both abiotic and biotic factors, both of which may affect litter decomposition rates in different ways. Can the existing conceptual frameworks of litter decomposition and its controls be applied across a structurally heterogeneous thaw gradient? We investigated the variability in litter decomposition and its predictors at the Stordalen subarctic peatland in northern Sweden. We measured in situ decomposition of representative litter and environments using litter bags throughout two years. We found highly variable litter decomposition rates with turnover times ranging from five months to four years. Surface elevation was a strong correlate of litter decomposition across the landscape, likely as it integrates multiple environmental and plant community changes brought about by thaw. There was faster decomposition but also more mass remaining after two years in thawed areas relative to permafrost areas, suggesting faster initial loss of carbon but more storage into the slow-decomposing carbon pool. Our results highlight mechanisms and predictors of carbon cycle changes in ice-rich peatlands following permafrost thaw. Article in Journal/Newspaper Antarctic and Alpine Research Arctic Ice Northern Sweden permafrost Subarctic Unknown Stordalen ENVELOPE(7.337,7.337,62.510,62.510) Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research 50 1 |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
Unknown |
op_collection_id |
fttriple |
language |
English |
topic |
discontinuous permafrost zone litter decomposition microtopography peatland permafrost thaw geo envir |
spellingShingle |
discontinuous permafrost zone litter decomposition microtopography peatland permafrost thaw geo envir Avni Malhotra Tim R. Moore Juul Limpens Nigel T. Roulet Post-thaw variability in litter decomposition best explained by microtopography at an ice-rich permafrost peatland |
topic_facet |
discontinuous permafrost zone litter decomposition microtopography peatland permafrost thaw geo envir |
description |
Litter decomposition, a key process by which recently fixed carbon is lost from ecosystems, is a function of environmental conditions and plant community characteristics. In ice-rich peatlands, permafrost thaw introduces high variability in both abiotic and biotic factors, both of which may affect litter decomposition rates in different ways. Can the existing conceptual frameworks of litter decomposition and its controls be applied across a structurally heterogeneous thaw gradient? We investigated the variability in litter decomposition and its predictors at the Stordalen subarctic peatland in northern Sweden. We measured in situ decomposition of representative litter and environments using litter bags throughout two years. We found highly variable litter decomposition rates with turnover times ranging from five months to four years. Surface elevation was a strong correlate of litter decomposition across the landscape, likely as it integrates multiple environmental and plant community changes brought about by thaw. There was faster decomposition but also more mass remaining after two years in thawed areas relative to permafrost areas, suggesting faster initial loss of carbon but more storage into the slow-decomposing carbon pool. Our results highlight mechanisms and predictors of carbon cycle changes in ice-rich peatlands following permafrost thaw. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Avni Malhotra Tim R. Moore Juul Limpens Nigel T. Roulet |
author_facet |
Avni Malhotra Tim R. Moore Juul Limpens Nigel T. Roulet |
author_sort |
Avni Malhotra |
title |
Post-thaw variability in litter decomposition best explained by microtopography at an ice-rich permafrost peatland |
title_short |
Post-thaw variability in litter decomposition best explained by microtopography at an ice-rich permafrost peatland |
title_full |
Post-thaw variability in litter decomposition best explained by microtopography at an ice-rich permafrost peatland |
title_fullStr |
Post-thaw variability in litter decomposition best explained by microtopography at an ice-rich permafrost peatland |
title_full_unstemmed |
Post-thaw variability in litter decomposition best explained by microtopography at an ice-rich permafrost peatland |
title_sort |
post-thaw variability in litter decomposition best explained by microtopography at an ice-rich permafrost peatland |
publisher |
Taylor & Francis Group |
publishDate |
2018 |
url |
https://doi.org/10.1080/15230430.2017.1415622 https://doaj.org/article/39ec565197374ced9070c9bf60f4900b |
long_lat |
ENVELOPE(7.337,7.337,62.510,62.510) |
geographic |
Stordalen |
geographic_facet |
Stordalen |
genre |
Antarctic and Alpine Research Arctic Ice Northern Sweden permafrost Subarctic |
genre_facet |
Antarctic and Alpine Research Arctic Ice Northern Sweden permafrost Subarctic |
op_source |
Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research, Vol 50, Iss 1 (2018) |
op_relation |
1523-0430 1938-4246 doi:10.1080/15230430.2017.1415622 https://doaj.org/article/39ec565197374ced9070c9bf60f4900b |
op_rights |
undefined |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1080/15230430.2017.1415622 |
container_title |
Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research |
container_volume |
50 |
container_issue |
1 |
_version_ |
1766286844398403584 |