Abstract
We measured water table levels, above- and below-ground plant production, and CO2and CH4emissions for five fens in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, to determine whether a water diversion project was adversely affecting carbon cycling. Two fens were located beneath the water diversion, and three fens were located in an adjacent pristine watershed. The diversion lowered water table levels in one fen, while the other fen was not hydrologically modified. Total NPP (net primary production) for all sites ranged from 130 to 316 g C·m2·year1, with a mean of 217 g C·m2·year1, and belowground NPP accounted for ~60% of the total. Maximum CO2emissions for pristine fens ranged between 170 and 273 mg CO2-C·m2·h1, with annual emissions of 230388 g CO2-C·m2·year1. However, the hydrologically modified fen had maximum CO2emissions of 457 mg CO2-C·m2·h1and had an annual flux of 573 g CO2-C·m2·year1. Maximum CH4emissions ranged from 3 to 25 mg CH4-C·m2·h1, with annual emissions of 961 g CH4-C·m2·year1. The water diversion structure lowered water tables, increased CO2, decreased CH4and NPP, and resulted in the site likely becoming a net source of carbon.Key words: peatlands, fens, CO2, CH4, hydrology, Rocky Mountains, Rocky Mountain National Park, plant production.
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