Growth and Organic Carbon Production in Peatlands Dominated by Distichia muscoides, Bolivia, South America

Abstract

Little is known about the growth or production of alpine cushion plant communities in the southern hemisphere, even though they dominate many high elevation peat-accumulating ecosystems in this region. We measured the growth and organic carbon production in four Distichia muscoides cushion plant—dominated peatlands in the tropical Andes of Bolivia, South America. Height growth was measured using the modified crank wire system. Cores were collected at the end of the 18-month study period to determine the biomass and organic carbon production rate. Bulk density averaged 0.081 g cm-3. Total height increase ranged from 0.96 to 5.37 cm yr-1, indicating very rapid growth. Most growth occurred during the austral summer wet season. Mean organic carbon production for the four sites ranged from 1.5 to 4.0 kg C m-2 yr-1 and is among the most rapid rates of potential peat accumulation known for high elevation or high latitude ecosystems on Earth.