Phosphorus supply affects long-term carbon accumulation in mid-latitude ombrotrophic peatlands

Schillereff, Daniel N, Chiverrell, Richard C ORCID: 0000-0002-7307-2756, Sjostrom, Jenny K, Kylander, Malin E, Boyle, John F ORCID: 0000-0002-1172-1079, Davies, Jessica AC, Toberman, Hannah and Tipping, Edward (2021) Phosphorus supply affects long-term carbon accumulation in mid-latitude ombrotrophic peatlands. COMMUNICATIONS EARTH & ENVIRONMENT, 2 (1). p. 241.

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Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Ombrotrophic peatlands are a globally important carbon store and depend on atmospheric nutrient deposition to balance ecosystem productivity and microbial decomposition. Human activities have increased atmospheric nutrient fluxes, but the impacts of variability in phosphorus supply on carbon sequestration in ombrotrophic peatlands are unclear. Here, we synthesise phosphorus, nitrogen and carbon stoichiometric data in the surface and deeper layers of mid-latitude <jats:italic>Sphagnum</jats:italic>-dominated peatlands across Europe, North America and Chile. We find that long-term elevated phosphorus deposition and accumulation strongly correlate with increased organic matter decomposition and lower carbon accumulation in the catotelm. This contrasts with literature that finds short-term increases in phosphorus supply stimulates rapid carbon accumulation, suggesting phosphorus deposition imposes a threshold effect on net ecosystem productivity and carbon burial. We suggest phosphorus supply is an important, but overlooked, factor governing long-term carbon storage in ombrotrophic peatlands, raising the prospect that post-industrial phosphorus deposition may degrade this carbon sink.</jats:p>

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Ombrotrophic peatlands are a globally important carbon store and depend on atmospheric nutrient deposition to balance ecosystem productivity and microbial decomposition. Human activities have increased atmospheric nutrient fluxes, but the impacts of variability in phosphorus supply on carbon sequestration in ombrotrophic peatlands are unclear. Here, we synthesise phosphorus, nitrogen and carbon stoichiometric data in the surface and deeper layers of mid-latitude Sphagnum-dominated peatlands across Europe, North America and Chile. We find that long-term elevated phosphorus deposition and accumulation strongly correlate with increased organic matter decomposition and lower carbon accumulation in the catotelm. This contrasts with literature that finds short-term increases in phosphorus supply stimulates rapid carbon accumulation, suggesting phosphorus deposition imposes a threshold effect on net ecosystem productivity and carbon burial. We suggest phosphorus supply is an important, but overlooked, factor governing long-term carbon storage in ombrotrophic peatlands, raising the prospect that post-industrial phosphorus deposition may degrade this carbon sink.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	15 Life on Land
Divisions:	Faculty of Science and Engineering > School of Environmental Sciences
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	25 Nov 2021 08:20
Last Modified:	15 Mar 2024 03:19
DOI:	10.1038/s43247-021-00316-2
Open Access URL:	https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-021-00316-2
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3143780