Search Results (666)

Southern South America encompasses temperate forests, steppe ecosystems, peatlands, fjords, and marine environments that support unique biodiversity and human communities, containing one of the world’s largest freshwater reserves in the Patagonian Icefields. Its relevance makes climate change a major threat to both natural ecosystems and human populations. Nevertheless, future changes in climate extremes, considering the complex topographic patterns that shape regional climatic patterns, remain uncertain. This study used an ensemble of regional climate models to assess future changes in a set of 9 temperature and precipitation extreme indices under two emissions scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) and three future time horizons (2026–2045; 2051–2070 and 2081–2100). Our results reveal a robust intensification of temperature extremes, with minimum temperature extremes projected to increase by more than 7 °C under the high-emissions scenario by the end of the century, accompanied by increases exceeding 30 summer days in the northeastern portion of the region. In contrast, precipitation extremes exhibit larger spatial variability and uncertainty, although robust reductions in the frequency of days with precipitation exceeding 20 mm partially explain the projected drying trend, while increases in 1- and 5-day maximum precipitation indicate more intense heavy rainfall events across the Patagonian steppe. These results have clear implications for the cryosphere and the biodiversity of the region. Full article

Blanket bogs are ombrotrophic peatlands where water is mainly supplied by precipitation. This study reports new algal records from blanket bogs in Türkiye, contributing to the knowledge of Türkiye’s freshwater algal flora. Algal samples were collected from five different blanket bogs located in the Eastern Black Sea Region of Türkiye. Samples were obtained on a monthly basis during selected months, May, July, and September in 2021, May and September in 2022, and July in 2023. A total of 50 taxa belonging to 19 genera were identified: Scytonema (1), Cavinula (1), Kobayasiella (1), Netrium (4), Closterium (3), Actinotaenium (5), Cosmarium (3), Euastrum (3), Micrasterias (2), Spondylosium (1), Staurastrum (15), Staurodesmus (2), Tetmemorus (2), Microspora (1), Characium (1), Desmodesmus (1), Trachelomonas (2), Calycimonas (1), and Opisthoaulax (1). Calycimonas and Opisthoaulax are reported as new genera for the freshwater algal flora of Türkiye. The identified taxa were predominantly observed in acidic, oligotrophic and low-conductivity waters, thereby indicating the distinctive ecological characteristics and conservation value of alpine blanket peat bogs. Full article

Permafrost peatlands in high-altitude regions store substantial amounts of organic carbon, yet the biogeochemical consequences of thermokarst collapse remain poorly understood. Using a space-for-time substitution approach, we selected four habitats representing a thermokarst development sequence in the Altai Mountains peatlands—slightly collapsed peat mounds (P1), severely collapsed peat mounds (P2), thawed herbaceous peat (PB1), and thermokarst ponds (PB2)—and conducted in situ greenhouse gas flux monitoring, soil physicochemical analysis, enzyme activity assays, and structural equation modeling. We found that thermokarst development fundamentally altered the greenhouse gas source–sink balance through three interconnected mechanisms. First, CO₂ fluxes shifted from net emission in P1 (684.1 mg m⁻² h⁻¹) to net uptake in PB2 (−25.6 mg m⁻² h⁻¹), driven primarily by the oxidative loss of mineral-associated organic carbon in the 40–60 cm layer (71.3% loss), whereas lateral dissolved organic carbon export accounted for only 12.3% of total carbon loss. Second, CH₄ fluxes in PB2 (3.8 ± 0.7 mg m⁻² h⁻¹) reached approximately 43% of the theoretical maximum, with this suppression associated with phosphorus limitation (total phosphorus < 0.05 g kg⁻¹) and a marked reduction in alkaline phosphatase activity. Third, N₂O uptake increased along the thaw sequence to −28.6 μg m⁻² h⁻¹ in PB2, with the 40–80 cm layer contributing 42% more than the surface layer. This increase in N₂O uptake occurred when the soil C/N ratio exceeded 300, a threshold that reflects the substantial stoichiometric imbalance between carbon and nitrogen following thermokarst development. These findings demonstrate that the transition from peat mounds to thermokarst ponds alters the net greenhouse gas source–sink balance through changes in MAOC stability, phosphorus availability, and carbon-to-nitrogen stoichiometry. Our results provide empirical constraints for evaluating carbon-climate feedbacks in cold-region peatlands. Full article

To protect and sustainably use peat soils, it is important to maintain their high moisture content by keeping proper groundwater levels. This can be achieved by using existing water-retaining structures in their area, such as weirs and sluices. Beaver dams can also serve a similar function, as they block water outflow from peatlands, raising water levels and naturally retaining it. The water conditions created by beaver dams promote secondary environmental succession processes, leading to the sustainable use of environmental resources. The presented research focused on drainage–irrigation perspectives for a lowland fen in the face of hydrologic alterations and a search for proper organic soil and water management. The results of systematic observations of water level variability in the Mała riverbed were analysed, as well as in a selected area of the subsurface irrigation system, influenced by the presence of a beaver dam in the years 2015–2019. The research was conducted on a section of that system, used as permanent grassland in central Poland—the Solec site. Before the construction of the beaver dam, measurement results indicated the draining nature of the Mała River, supported by an extensive network of drainage ditches. After the construction of the beaver dam, water levels in the Mała River bed above the dam increased, as did groundwater levels in the adjacent area, up to 40 m from the riverbank. In the analysed site, the beaver dam caused the groundwater level to increase by 0.25–0.45 m in 2015, compared to the neighbouring quarter, located outside the range of the dam. At observation points A and B, located 40 m and 115 m from the river, respectively, the groundwater table was usually within the acceptable drainage standards for organic soils (complex C—dry), while in the case of point C, located 240 m from the river (medium mineral soil complex), the water table was mostly below the maximum drainage standard. The conducted groundwater table depth estimations were purposely compared to the existing standards to further outline the impact of selected measures, e.g., the bever dams, to maintain hydrologic conditions of a managed fen. Full article

Global warming is profoundly altering the structure and function of permafrost peatland ecosystems, but how soil microorganisms as core regulators of biogeochemical cycles respond to the process remains unclear. We investigated peatlands of the continuous, the discontinuous, and the isolated permafrost zones in the climatically sensitive high-latitude Greater Khingan Mountains using 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing and soil physicochemical analysis to systematically reveal the spatial differentiation patterns, community assembly processes, and primary environmental factors of bacterial communities. The results indicated that bacterial alpha diversity was highest in the discontinuous permafrost zone, and both permafrost type and soil depth exerted significant effects on bacterial community composition. From the continuous to the isolated permafrost zones, the relative abundance of the dominant phylum Proteobacteria decreased, while phylum Chloroflexota showed a gradual increasing trend. Co-occurrence network analysis suggested that bacterial network complexity was highest in the continuous permafrost zone, and network stability decreased along the permafrost gradient. From the continuous to the isolated permafrost zone, the relative contribution of stochastic processes declined, whereas that of deterministic processes increased. Partial least squares path modeling (PLS-PM) further demonstrated that soil pH, total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), and soil water content (SWC) were major drivers of bacterial communities, with their effects differing among permafrost zones. Our study elucidated the synergistic evolutionary patterns of bacterial community composition, assembly mechanisms, and environmental drivers under permafrost degradation, providing key scientific evidence for predicting the feedback of high-latitude peatlands to climate warming. Full article

Climate change models point to a possible rise in air temperature, ranging from 2 °C to 4 °C. Global changes will therefore have a particularly pronounced effect on the functioning of shallow water bodies known as peat ponds, i.e., habitats formed after peat extraction in peatlands. However, the extent of this impact is still unknown. The main objective of the study was to determine the impact of water level and water physicochemical properties on the functioning of selected groups of aquatic organisms in peat ponds of different origins. The study was conducted in spring, summer and autumn of the years 2024 and 2025, in 10 peat ponds with different trophic status and typology, located in the Polesie National Park in eastern Poland. Considerable fluctuations in water levels, resulting from a scarcity of precipitation, accelerated the drying out and overgrowth of peat ponds, particularly the alkaline and acidic types. Within the zoocoenotic communities, a significant decline in the abundance of planktonic species and an increase in the abundance of littoral or periphytic species were recorded (F = 6.24, p < 0.015). Regarding trophic structure, an increase in the abundance of mixotrophic species and a decrease in the abundance of top-level predators were observed. Hydrological changes were reflected in an increase in species richness and abundance of communities of organisms with broad ecological tolerance (mainly ciliates), and a decrease in the number of species and abundance of planktonic crustaceans and macroinvertebrates. The RDA model explains over 84% of the total variability, indicating excellent model fit to the data and a strong correlation between environmental variables and species composition. Based on p values, water level, temperature, pH, and COD were selected as significant variables, with conductivity, O₂, and P_tot demonstrating less statistical significance. Peat ponds ecosystems can serve as an excellent model system for studying the impact of intensifying climate change on the functioning of shallow water bodies. Full article

Peat soils play a key role in the global terrestrial carbon pool, water regulation, and ecosystem stability, making them central to environmental protection and climate resilience policies. This study offers a thorough bibliometric mapping and scientific overview for the development path and intellectual structure of peat soil research from 2015 to 2025. Using the Scopus database, 1558 records were systematically analyzed with VOSviewer and an R-package to reveal publication trends, country/region collaboration networks, keyword co-occurrence clusters, and citation structures. Peat research is increasingly focused on carbon storage, peatland degradation and restoration, greenhouse gas emissions, land-use change, and climate mitigation. High citation rates of 651 in Nature Climate Change show strong interdisciplinary integration of soil science, ecology, hydrology, and climate science. Major contributions come from regions with extensive peatlands, like Southeast Asia and Northern Europe, highlighting their global climate importance. However, there are still missing links remaining between scientific research and practical peatland management and restoration. Future research should focus on long-term field studies, socio-ecological peatland governance, and nature-based solutions to enhance climate resilience. This study serves as a reference for researchers, environmental managers, and policymakers promoting sustainable peat soil management amid global environmental change. Full article

Balancing wetland conservation with food security is a critical challenge for developing countries. This study compares land use change and its impacts on soil properties in two hydrologically distinct wetlands: the rain-fed Jinchuan Peatland in China and the flood-fed Kilombero Valley Floodplain (KVFP) in Tanzania. Using remote sensing data from 1990 to 2018 and soil physicochemical analysis, we found divergent reclamation trajectories. Wetland conversion has slowed in China but accelerated in Tanzania’s KVFP due to population pressure. Our results reveal a fundamental mechanism: rain-fed wetlands, lacking external nutrient replenishment, experience significantly greater soil degradation after conversion compared to flood-fed wetlands, which benefit from continued alluvial sediment inputs. Both sites showed post-conversion declines in soil moisture, total organic carbon (TOC), and total nitrogen (TN), alongside increased pH and bulk density. However, soil fertility loss was markedly more severe in Jinchuan than in KVFP. This disparity is attributed to the inability of rain-fed systems to replenish nutrients externally, whereas flood-fed KVFP benefits from continued alluvial sediment inputs. Our findings elucidate a key mechanism: flood-fed wetlands possess a natural resilience to agricultural disturbance through hydrological replenishment, making them potentially more suitable for sustainable utilization in food-insecure nations. Consequently, we propose that wetland management policies must be customized based on water source type and national development context, advocating for the targeted, science-based utilization of flood-fed wetlands as a strategic approach to reconcile food production with ecosystem preservation in regions like Tanzania. Full article

Microbial functional traits play a central role in regulating carbon mineralization efficiency (CME) in peatlands, yet how they respond to concurrent warming and atmospheric nitrogen deposition remains unclear. In this study, peat soils from three vegetation types (sedge, reed, and shrub) were subjected to controlled microcosm incubations simulating warming and nitrogen addition gradients. Microbial community composition and functional profiles were characterized using 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing and Functional Annotation of Prokaryotic Taxa (FAPROTAX) functional prediction, while dissolved organic matter (DOM) composition was analyzed via excitation–emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy with parallel factor analysis (EEM-PARAFAC) and fluorescence indices. Integrating correlation analysis, Random Forest, and partial least squares path modeling (PLS-PM) modeling, we identified microbial functional traits as key factors linking environmental changes to soil CME, with DOM serving as a substrate-mediated pathway. External nitrogen input primarily drove shifts in microbial functional composition, whereas warming modulated substrate utilization preferences and DOM turnover. The interaction between warming and nitrogen selectively reshaped microbial functional profiles, thereby jointly determining CME. Functional traits explained more variation in CME than taxonomic composition, indicating a “structure–function decoupling” under environmental change. These findings highlight the central role of microbial functional traits in peatland carbon transformation and suggest that the net response of peatland carbon emissions to future environmental change will depend critically on the balance between warming magnitude and nitrogen deposition levels. Full article

The progressive degradation of natural habitats, driven by anthropogenic pressures and climate change, constitutes one of the most serious threats to biodiversity. Peatland ecosystems, along with the valuable plant species associated with them, are particularly vulnerable to these processes. Salix lapponum, a glacial relict species, is undergoing a drastic decline in both its range and population size across Poland and Europe. This emphasizes the need for the implementation of conservation measures, including species translocation, as well as the development of effective methods for monitoring plant condition following introduction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of selected physiological indicators for the rapid and reliable assessment of plant condition in active conservation efforts. The experimental material consisted of S. lapponum plantlets derived from tissue culture, which were introduced into five experimental sites in eastern Poland, differing in habitat conditions. Over two growing seasons, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (F₀, F_m, F_v/F_m), the content of photosynthetic pigments and anthocyanins, relative water content, guaiacol peroxidase activity, and the presence of reactive oxygen species were analyzed. The results revealed clear seasonal variability in most of the studied physiological parameters, as well as their differentiation across habitat conditions. The highest sensitivity to environmental changes was observed for indicators related to photosynthetic performance (F_v/F_m), tissue hydration status (RWC), and enzymatic activity. Declines in photosystem II efficiency at the beginning of the growing season, reflected in F_v/F_m values decreasing to 0.47–0.49 indicate transient stress conditions in plants. Simultaneously, variation in relative water content (52–90%) and peroxidase activity reflects differences in water availability and the intensity of environmental stress across habitats. The findings confirm that selected physiological indicators can serve as effective tools for the early monitoring of plant condition and for assessing the success of S. lapponum translocation. Full article

Phenolics in Sphagnum can inhibit its microbial decomposition. Climate warming and drainage have driven vascular plants, such as Ericaceae, to expand into Sphagnum-dominated peatland. However, the impact of fine root invasion by Rhododendron auriculatum Hemsl. on Sphagnum decomposition and changes in phenolic compounds remains unclear. This study compared Sphagnum decomposition in a Sphagnum palustre L.-dominated peatland and an R. auriculatum (Sapling)–S. palustre peatland by examining the microscopic structure of S. palustre and microbial community composition. Decomposition was higher in the R. auriculatum–S. palustre peatland. On this site, bacterial metabolic types such as aerobic chemoheterotrophy and chemoheterotrophy had higher relative abundances, as did fungal trophic modes, including those with combined ectomycorrhizal, ericoid mycorrhizal, and saprotrophic functions. Acid phosphatase, laccase, total nitrogen (TN), C/N ratio (C:N), and pH differed significantly across decomposition stages. Microbial communities are affected by physicochemical factors and enzyme activities. Untargeted metabolomics revealed more downregulated than upregulated phenolics, cinnamic acids, and tannins, indicating loss of phenolic compounds. In summary, R. auriculatum fine root invasion altered enzyme activities and physicochemical properties, driving the restructuring of bacterial and fungal trophic modes and accelerating S. palustre cell wall and hyaline cell decomposition. Full article

Peatlands cover approximately 3% of the global land area but store about 44% of the world’s soil carbon, making them a major carbon sink. Indonesia alone accounts for about 37% of global tropical peat carbon stocks. However, large-scale carbon emissions caused by fires and drainage during past economic development have transformed peatlands from carbon sinks into carbon sources. In response, restoration efforts have been implemented at both international and national levels. Tropical peatland restoration typically includes rewetting, revegetation, and community-based approaches, highlighting the need for quantitative assessments of carbon storage under different restoration strategies. This study focuses on the Perigi peatland in South Sumatra, Indonesia. We conducted field surveys of vegetation and soils to estimate carbon stocks per unit area and developed time-series land cover maps using satellite imagery. Based on these data, we assessed potential carbon storage under different restoration intensity scenarios. The results show that carbon stocks in the Perigi peatland are lower than the Indonesian average. However, under a full restoration scenario, up to 950,259 tC of additional carbon storage is possible, indicating high restoration potential. In contrast, without restoration, further carbon emissions are likely, underscoring the necessity of restoration efforts. Effective restoration requires a phased strategy from vegetation recovery to peat layer recovery, combined with socioeconomic approaches that consider local livelihoods, enabling degraded tropical peatlands to function as effective carbon mitigation systems. Full article

Sustainable management of peatlands is one of the key global strategies for mitigating climate change. The balance between carbon (C) sequestration and emission in peatlands reflects environmental conditions over time and can provide insight into long-term ecosystem dynamics. However, current methods for estimating greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes are often labor-intensive, costly, and site-specific. In this study, we propose a simplified and cost-efficient method to estimate long-term carbon balance in peatlands based on the inorganic (mineral) content of drill core samples. The approach uses exponential decay equations to approximate peat accumulation and decomposition processes over time. A conceptual model is applied that accounts for both anaerobic transformation of organic matter of varying molecular complexity and enhanced aerobic decomposition resulting from anthropogenic drainage during the last century. The model was applied to more than 100 drill cores from four peatland systems in Estonia. The resulting trends were compared qualitatively with known climatic fluctuations of the last millennium, including periods associated with the Little Ice Age. The results suggest that, in many cases, carbon losses from decomposition in deeper peat layers may exceed carbon accumulation in upper layers, even in peatlands that appear to be well preserved. The proposed method provides a rapid, low-cost, first-order approximation of peatland carbon dynamics and may serve as a complementary tool for large-scale assessments where detailed process-based models are not feasible. Full article

Draining peatlands for peat extraction converts them into significant sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Quantifying GHG emissions at the regional scale remains challenging because direct field measurements are spatially limited, while GHG accounting for land-use planning requires spatially explicit information. Building on the advances in remote sensing (RS) as a scalable low-cost emission accounting tool for large areas, this study presents a proof-of-concept workflow that integrates satellite-based land-cover classification with an emission-factor (EF) approach to support spatial upscaling of peatland GHG estimates. Using Sentinel-2 imagery and a supervised Random Forest classifier, peatland-related land-cover classes were mapped for selected sites in Latvia. The classification results show higher accuracy for spectrally distinct classes such as raised bogs and active peat-extraction areas, while more heterogeneous classes exhibited lower performance. The study provides an overview of how to utilize the RS approach to generate accurate land-cover maps, which can be used to upscale GHG estimation in Latvia when field data is limited. The study does not include calibration against site-level flux measurements, uncertainty propagation, or temporal variability analysis; therefore, the emission results are illustrative and consistent with current EF-based inventory practice rather than validated site-specific fluxes. Full article

Mosses (Bryophyta) comprises a group of terrestrial plants that colonized land more than 450 million years ago that play fundamental ecological and evolutionary roles, particularly in polar and peatland ecosystems. The sequencing of Physcomitrium patens marked a milestone in bryophyte genomics, establishing mosses as model organisms for evolutionary and functional studies. However, the recent advent of next-generation sequencing technologies has broadened genomic exploration beyond P. patens, unveiling the genetic diversity of additional bryophyte species. Notably, the genomes of Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum magellanicum, the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha and hornworts from Athoceros genus have provided new insights into carbon fixation mechanisms, ecological adaptations, and lineage-specific evolutionary traits. These advances have enabled large-scale comparative analyses and expanded the understanding of conserved and divergent genomic features among bryophytes. The integration of these datasets into public databases such as Phytozome and NCBI Genome has created a robust framework for investigating plant genome evolution and biotechnological potential. Altogether, the expanding genomic landscape of bryophytes reveals their remarkable evolutionary plasticity and underscores their importance as key models for studying adaptation, metabolism, and genomic innovation in terrestrial plants. Full article