Unraveling microbial processes involved in carbon and nitrogen cycling and greenhouse gas emissions in rewetted peatlands by molecular biology
- Author(s)
- Emilie Gios, Erik Verbruggen, Joachim Audet, Rachel Burns, Klaus Butterbach-Bahl, Mikk Espenberg, Christian Fritz, Stephan Glatzel, Gerald Jurasinski, Tuula Larmola, Ülo Mander, Claudia Nielsen, Andres F. Rodriguez, Clemens Scheer, Dominik Zak, Hanna M. Silvennoinen
- Abstract
Restoration of drained peatlands through rewetting has recently emerged as a prevailing strategy to mitigate excessive greenhouse gas emissions and re-establish the vital carbon sequestration capacity of peatlands. Rewetting can help to restore vegetation communities and biodiversity, while still allowing for extensive agricultural management such as paludiculture. Belowground processes governing carbon fluxes and greenhouse gas dynamics are mediated by a complex network of microbial communities and processes. Our understanding of this complexity and its multi-factorial controls in rewetted peatlands is limited. Here, we summarize the research regarding the role of soil microbial communities and functions in driving carbon and nutrient cycling in rewetted peatlands including the use of molecular biology techniques in understanding biogeochemical processes linked to greenhouse gas fluxes. We emphasize that rapidly advancing molecular biology approaches, such as high-throughput sequencing, are powerful tools helping to elucidate the dynamics of key biogeochemical processes when combined with isotope tracing and greenhouse gas measuring techniques. Insights gained from the gathered studies can help inform efficient monitoring practices for rewetted peatlands and the development of climate-smart restoration and management strategies.
- Organisation(s)
- Department of Geography and Regional Research
- External organisation(s)
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), University of Antwerp, Aarhus University, University of Copenhagen, Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research, Karlsruher Institut für Technologie, University of Tartu, Radboud University, Universität Rostock, Natural Resources Institute Finland, Leibniz-Institut für Gewässerökologie und Binnenfischerei
- Journal
- Biogeochemistry
- Volume
- 167
- Pages
- 609-629
- No. of pages
- 21
- ISSN
- 0168-2563
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s10533-024-01122-6
- Publication date
- 2024
- Peer reviewed
- Yes
- Austrian Fields of Science 2012
- 105405 Geoecology, 401902 Soil science
- Keywords
- ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Environmental Chemistry, Water Science and Technology, Earth-Surface Processes
- Sustainable Development Goals
- SDG 2 - Zero Hunger, SDG 13 - Climate Action
- Portal url
- https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/fc1437b2-be7f-4111-8bf7-4b72d3d7f95d