Scientists warmed peat bog by up to 9C; carbon storage flipped to emissions
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have found that warming temperatures cause peatlands to shift from carbon sinks to carbon emitters faster than previously expected. This transition poses a significant risk to global climate stability, as these ecosystems store vast amounts of carbon.
Why it matters
Peatlands hold one-third of global soil carbon, and their degradation could accelerate global warming by releasing massive amounts of greenhouse gases.
Swamps and peatlands play an important role in the global carbon cycle and, consequently, in the global climate. Scientists wanted to know if there was a link between climate change and carbon loss in peatland ecosystems. Researchers at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory looked at the impact of warmer climates on peatlands, and what they found was striking. When the temperature rises, peatlands flip from storing carbon to releasing it. They noticed that the shift happens faster than expected, and the implications ripple across climate forecasting models worldwide. The findings are published in the journal AGU Advances.
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