In this study, we describe the variation in δ
13C value in the litter of two species of peat-forming plants:
Sphagnum fuscum and
Eriophorum vaginatum, during 3 years of field decomposition in oligotrophic bog ecosystems drained for the purpose of forest melioration
[...] Read more.
In this study, we describe the variation in δ
13C value in the litter of two species of peat-forming plants:
Sphagnum fuscum and
Eriophorum vaginatum, during 3 years of field decomposition in oligotrophic bog ecosystems drained for the purpose of forest melioration and fire affected and at the stage of post-pyrogenic restoration. Litterbags were periodically retrieved in the autumn and the δ
13C value in the residual litter was related to mass loss, litter chemistry, and hydrothermal conditions.
Sph. fuscum decomposes much more slowly than
E. vaginatum. Low rate of transformation for
Sph. fuscum is observed in drained and post-pyrogenic sites, while for
E. vaginatum minimal rate of transformation is observed in the native site. During the decomposition of
Sphagnum residues,
13C enrichment occurs, and during the decomposition of
E. vaginatum, we observed
12C enrichment. The changes in the isotope composition of carbon for investigation sites are insignificant for
Sphagnum fuscum, but it was observed for
E. vaginatum, the largest of
13C depletion is observed in the drained site (−28.3‰) and minimal in the postpyrogenic site (−27.4‰).
Full article
