Changing Carbon Stores in Peatlands Over Time & W-C Links Flashcards
In which conditions do dead wetland plants not fully decay?
Wet, anaerobic conditions which prevent bacteria from decomposing dead material, allowing ti to accumulate.
What is peat?
An accumulation of partly decomposed organic matter, forming a deposit on boggy, acidic ground. It forms in low-relief areas at both high and low altitudes, from the compression of organic matter.
What is the standard accumulation for a peat bog?
1mm/year
How much carbon do peatlands store?
Double the amount that forests do.
What is the main reason peat is extracted?
IT is used as fuel in rural areas and power stations, however its use does release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
What is drainage in peatlands for?
It allows the land to be used for agriculture. Increases the decomposition rate, releasing more carbon dioxide. Increases flow of carbon to rivers. Drained areas may be afforested, changing the biomass carbon store.
What are the main methods of restoration?
Blocking drainage channels.
Creating berms (raised banks)
Clearing invasive vegetation and re-establishing wetland plants.
Adopting the ‘peatland code’.
What did the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change declare in 2014?
That there was a 95% probability that humans were the main cause of global warming 1951-2010.
What was the emissions increase from 1750-2000?
280ppm - 406ppm.
Why did emissions rise from 1750-2000?
Increasing fossil fuel use from population growth and increasing economic growth.
Deforestation.
Increased livestock farming.
Decomposition from increasing landfill.
What % of solar energy reaching Earth is re-radiated back?
70%
What is the effect of the greenhouse layer?
Increasing carbon dioxide and methane in the atmospheric store retains more heat, which raises water vapour levels and further increases temperature.
How is extreme precipitation an effect of increase in atmospheric carbon store?
Higher temperatures due to the increase in the greenhouse layer increases evaporation, increasing heavy convection rainfall and therefore volatility of natural hazards.
What is the IPCC projection of global surface temperatures?
They will rise by more than 1.5 C by the end of the century, causing the global water cycle to change with increasing differences and dry regions.
How is river discharge affected by increase in the atmospheric carbon store?
Intense rainfall causes infiltration excess overland flow, rapidly increasing discharge and flooding potential. The river regime adjusts to precipitation changes.
