The influences of volcanic eruptions on the development of peatland: A case study from the Changbai Mountains, Northeast Asia

Abstract

Peatlands often develop around active volcanoes. However, little research has been conducted on the impacts of volcanic eruptions on peatland development. Here, we investigated the impacts of Holocene volcanic eruptions of the Changbaishan Volcanic field on the development of Dongfanghong peatland by using basal peat ages, geochemical and palaeoecological data. Analytical results suggest that lateral expansion process of the Dongfanghong peatland was due to paludification. This process was mainly controlled by complex volcanic lava terrain rather than climatic changes. Volcanic rocks provided an impervious horizon for the establishment of peat plants. Thick tephra layers resulted in the retrogressive succession of vegetation community that changed from mesomoor community dominated by the mixture of herbs and Sphagnum into the lowmoor community dominated by herbs. The subsequent high carbon accumulation rates were induced through the phosphorus release from tephra layers and formation of a impervious horizon. These results suggest that volcanic eruptions can significantly influence peatland development.