Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A high resolution green area index for modelling the seasonal dynamics of CO2 exchange in peatland vascular plant communities

  • ORIGINAL PAPER
  • Published:
Plant Ecology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We studied vegetation dynamics at peatlands, differing in their climate, land use management history and vegetation community in Ireland and Finland over a two-year period. Our aim was to develop a species-specific method to be used to (1) describe the seasonal dynamics of green (photosynthetic) area (GA) of the vegetation and (2) incorporate these changes into CO2 exchange models. The extent of temporal and spatial variation between and within communities indicated the need for a two-step calculation approach for each community. Firstly, at biweekly to monthly intervals, GA of all species within a range of vascular plant communities was estimated by non-destructive field measurements. Gaussian or log-normal models were fitted to describe the seasonal dynamics of each species. Secondly, an estimate of community vascular green area (VGA) was obtained by summing the modelled daily GA of all species within the community. The highest values of VGA (2.1–6.0 m2 m−2) occurred within the reed communities at the rewetted cutaway peatland in Ireland and the lowest at the ombrotrophic lawn communities in Finland (0.5–1.0 m2 m−2). The relationship between light saturated gross photosynthesis (P G) and VGA was either linear or hyperbolic depending on the degree of self-shading that occurred within each community. The addition of the VGA term into P G models improved the explaining power of the model by 57.6, 24.5 and 23% within the Typha latifolia, Phalaris arundinacea and Eriophorum angustifolium/Carex rostrata communities, respectively. VGA proved useful in recording the seasonal development of a wide range of peatland vascular plant communities over geographically and climatically different regions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alm J, Talanov A, Saarnio S, Silvola J, Ikkonen E, Aaltonen H, Nykanen H, Martikainen PJ (1997) Reconstruction of the carbon balance for microsites in a boreal oligotrophic pine fen, Finland. Oecologia 110:423–431

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alm J, Schulman L, Walden J, Nykanen H, Martikainen PJ, Silvola J (1999a) Carbon balance of a boreal bog during a year with an exceptionally dry summer. Ecology 80(1):161–174

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anten NPR, Hirose T (1999) Interspecific differences in above-ground growth patterns result in spatial and temporal partitioning of light among species in a tall-grass meadow. J Ecol 87:583–597

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Asner GP, Scurlock JMO, Hicke JA (2003) Global synthesis of leaf area index observations: implications for ecological and remote sensing studies. Global Ecol Biogeogr 12:191–205

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aurela M, Laurila T, Tuovinen J (2004) Interannual variation of the CO2 balance in a subarctic fen. In: Päivänen J (ed) Proceedings of the 12th International Peat Congress. Wise Use of Peatlands. International Peat Society, pp 103–108

  • Bianco S, Pitelli RA, Pitelli AMCM (2003) Estimativa da área foliar de Typha latifolia usando dimensões lineares do limbo foliar. Planta Daninha 21(2):257–261

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bonan G (2002) Ecological climatology. Concepts and applications. Cambridge University Press, 678pp

  • Bradbury IK, Grace J (1983) Primary production in wetlands. In: Gore AJP (ed) Mires: swamp, bog, fen and moor. Ecosystems of the world, Elsevier, pp 285–310

  • Bubier JL, Crill P, Moore TR, Savage K, Varner RK (1998) Seasonal patterns and controls on net ecosystem CO2 exchange in a boreal peatland complex. Global Biogeochem Cycles 12(4):703–714

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bubier JL, Bhatia G, Moore TR, Roulet NT, Lafleur PM (2003a) Spatial and temporal variability in growing season net ecosystem carbon dioxide exchange at a large peatland in Ontario, Canada. Ecosystems 6:353–367

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bubier JL, Crill P, Mosedale A, Frolking S, Linder E (2003b) Peatland responses to varying moisture conditions as measured by automatic CO2 chambers. Global Biogeochem Cycles 17:2

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Burrows CJ (1990) Processes of vegetation change. Unwin Hyman Ltd., 551pp

  • Butson CR, Fernandes RA (2004) A consistency analysis of surface reflectance and leaf area index retrieval from overlapping clear-sky Landsat ETM + imagery. Remote Sensing Environ 89:369–380

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cogle AL, Rao KPC, Yule DF, George PJ, Srinivasan ST, Smith GD, Jangawad L (1997) Soil management options for Alfisols in the semi-arid tropics: annual and perennial crop production. Soil Tillage Res 44:235–253

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cowling SA, Field CB (2003) Environmental control of leaf area production: implications for vegetation and land-surface modelling. Global Biogeochem Cycles 17(1):1007, doi: 10.1029/2002GB001915

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Curran PJ, Williamson HD (1988) Selecting a spatial resolution for estimation of per-field green leaf area index. Int J Remote Sensing 9(7):1243–1250

    Google Scholar 

  • Dykyjová D (1973) Production, vertical structure and light profiles in littoral stands of reed-bed species. Hidrobiologia 12:361–370

    Google Scholar 

  • Ewert F (2004) Modelling plant responses to elevated CO2: how important is leaf area index? Annal Bot 93:619–627

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Falster DS, Westoby M (2003) Leaf size and angle vary widely across species: what consequences for light interception? New Phytol 158(3):509–525

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gower ST, Kucharik CJ, Norman JM (1999) Direct and indirect estimation of leaf area index, f APAR, and net primary production of terrestrial ecosystems. Remote Sensing Environ 70:29–51

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Greulich S, Bornette G (2003) Being evergreen in an aquatic habitat with attenuated seasonal contrasts – a major advantage? Plant Ecol 167:9–18

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Griffis TJ, Rouse WR, Waddington JM (2000) Scaling net ecosystem CO2 exchange from the community to landscape-level at a subarctic fen. Global Change Biol 6(4):459–473

    Google Scholar 

  • Griffis TJ, Rouse WR (2001) Modelling the interannual variability of net ecosystem CO2 exchange at a subarctic sedge fen. Global Change Biol 7(5):511–530

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haase P, Pugnaire FI, Clark SC, Incoll LD (1999) Environmental control of canopy dynamics and photosynthetic rate in the evergreen tussock grass Stipa tenacissima. Plant Ecol 145:327–339

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Joabsson A, Røjle Christensen T, Wallen B (1999) Vascular plant controls on methane emisssions from northern peatforming wetlands. Trends Ecol Evol 14(10):385–388

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Käki T, Ojala A, Kankaala P (2001) Diel variation in methane emissions from stands of Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud and Typha latifola L. in a boreal lake. Aquat Bot 71(4):259–271

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kashyap PS, Panda RK (2003) Effect of irrigation scheduling on potato crop parameters under water stressed conditions. Agric Water Manage 59:49–66

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keane T, Sheridan T (2004) Climate of Ireland. In: Collins JF (ed) Climate, weather and Irish agriculture. AGMET, pp 27–62

  • Kemp PR, Williams GJ (1980) A physiological basis for niche separation between Agropyron smithii (C3) and Bouteloua gracilis (C4). Ecology 61(4):846–858

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kettunen A (2000) Short-term carbon dioxide exchange and environmental factors in a boreal fen. Verh Internat Verein Limnol 27:1446–1450

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kim J, Verma SB, Billesbach DP (1998) Seasonal variation in methane emission from a temperate Phragmites-dominated marsh: effect of growth stage and plant-mediated transport. Global Change Biol 5:433–440

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Komulainen V-M, Tuittila E-V, Vasander H, Laine J (1999). Restoration of drained peatlands in southern Finland: initial effects on vegetation change and CO2 balance. J Appl Ecol 36:634–648

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lafleur PM, Roulet NT, Bubier JL, Frolking S, Moore TR (2003) Interannual variability in the peatland-atmosphere carbon dioxide exchange at an ombrotrophic bog. Global Biogeochem Cycles 17(2):1036

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Larmola T, Alm J, Juutinen S, Martikainen PJ, Silvola J (2003) Ecosystem CO2 exchange and plant biomass in the littoral zone of a boreal eutrophic lake. Freshwater Biol 48:1295–1310

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Misra MK, Misra BN (1981) Seasonal changes in leaf area index and chlorophyll in an Indian grassland. J Ecol 69:797–805

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mooney HA, Ehleringer JR (1997) Photosynthesis. In: Crawley MJ (ed) Plant ecology. Blackwell Science, pp 1–27

  • Moore TR, Bubier JL, Frolking SE, Lafleur PM, Roulet NT (2002) Plant biomass and production and CO2 exchange in an ombrotrophic bog. J Ecol 90:25–26

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nieveen JP, Jacobs CMJ, Jacobs AFG (1998) Diurnal and seasonal variation of carbon dioxide exchange from a former true raised bog. Global Change Biol 4(8):823–833

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Odland A (2002) Patterns in the secondary succession of a Carex vesicaria L. wetland following a permanant drawdown. Aquat Biol 74:233–244

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pearcy RW, Valladares F (1999) Resource acquisition by plants: the role of crown architecture. In: Barker MG (ed) Physiological plant ecology. Blackwell Science, 480pp

  • Robertson KP, Woolhouse HW (1984a) Studies of the seasonal change of carbon uptake of Eriophorum vaginatum in a moorland habitat. 1. Leaf production and senescence. J Ecol 72:423–435

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robertson KP, Woolhouse HW (1984b) Studies of the seasonal course of carbon uptake of Eriophorum vaginatum in a moorland habitat. 2. The seasonal course of photosynthesis. J Ecol 72:685–700

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roehm CL, Roulet NT (2003) Seasonal contribution of CO2 fluxes in the annual C budget of a northern bog. Global Biogeochem Cycles 17(1):1029

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rowlands RG (2001) The ecological restoration through natural revegetation of industrial cutaway peatlands in Ireland. PhD thesis, Dept. of Environmental Resource Management, University College Dublin, 243pp

  • Rudorff BFT, Mulchi CL, Daughtry CST, Lee EH (1996) Growth, radiation use efficiency and canopy reflectance of wheat and corn grown under elevated ozone and carbon dioxide atmospheres. Remote Sensing Environ 55:163–173

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shannon RD, White JR, Lawson JE, Gilmour BS (1996) Methane efflux from emergent vegetation in peatlands. J Ecol 84:239–246

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shurpali NJ, Verma SB, Kim J, Arkebauer TJ (1995) Carbon dioxide exchange in a peatland ecosystem. J Geophys Res 100(D7):14,319–14,326

    Google Scholar 

  • Small E (1972) Ecological significance of four critical elements in plants of raised peat bogs. Ecology 53(3):498–503

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Spanner M, Johnson L, Miller J, McCreight R, Freemantle J, Runyon J, Gong P (1994) Remote sensing of seasonal leaf area index across the Oregon transect. Ecol Appl 4(2):258–271

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas KL, Benstead J, Davies KL, Lloyd D (1996) Role of wetland plants in the diurnal control of CH4 and CO2 fluxes in peat. Soil Biol Biochem 28(1):17–23

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thormann MN, Bayley SE (1997) Aboveground plant production and nutrient content of the vegetation in six peatlands in Alberta, Canada. Plant Ecol 131:1–16

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trumbore SE, Bubier JL, Harden JW, Crill P (1999) Carbon cycling in boreal wetlands: a comparison of three approaches. J Geophys Res 104(D22):27,673–27,682

    Google Scholar 

  • Tuittila E-S, Komulainen V-M, Vasander H, Laine J (1999) Restored cut-away peatland as a sink for atmospheric CO2. Oecologia 120:563–574

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tuittila E-S, Vasander H, Laine J (2004) Sensitivity of carbon sequestration in reintroduced Sphagnum to water-level variation in a cutaway peatland. Restor Ecol 12:482–492

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Turitzin N, Drake BG (1981) The effect of a seasonal change in canopy structure on the photosynthetic efficiency of a salt marsh. Oecologia 48:79–84

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Valladares F, Pearcy RW (1999) The geometry of light interception by shoots of Heteromeles arbutifolia: morphological and physiological consequences for individual leaves. Oecologia 121:171–182

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weltzin JF, Pastor J, Harth C, Bridgham SD, Updegraff K, Chapin CT (2000) Response of bog and fen plant communities to warming and water table manipulations. Ecology 81(12):3464–3478

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weltzin JF, Bridgham SD, Pastor J, Chen J, Harth C (2003) Potential effects of warming and drying on peatland plant community composition. Global Change Biol 9:141–151

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wetzel PR, Van der Valk AG (1998) Effects of nutrient and soil moisture on competition between Carex stricta, Phalaris arundinacea and Typha latifoila. Plant Ecol 138:179–190

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wetzel RG, Howe MJ (1999) High production in a herbaceous perennial plant achieved by continuous growth and synchronised population dynamics. Aquat Biol 64:111–129

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wiegand C, Richardson AJ, Kanemasu ET (1979) Leaf area index estimates for wheat from LANDSAT and their implications for evapotranspiration and crop modelling. Agron J 71(2):336–342

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williams M, Rastetter EB (1999) Vegetation characteristics and primary productivity along an arctic transect: implications for scaling up. J Ecol 87:885–898

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Y, Li C, Zhou X, Moore B III (2002) A simulation model linking crop growth and soil biogeochemistry for sustainable agriculture. Ecol Model 151:75–108

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This research was funded by Bord na Móna (Ireland). The financial support from the Academy of Finland (Project code 202424) to EST is acknowledged. DW received additional funding under a Short Term Scientific Mission from COST ACTION E21. Grateful thanks to Tom Moore and Mary Quinn, Dept. of Horticulture, University College Dublin for technical assistance. We would also like to thank our VGA colleagues Mirva Hietala, Anna Laine, Micaela Morero, Sanna Saarnio, Maria Strack and MikaYli-Petays for discussion and exchange of ideas and data and an anonymous reviewer for insightful comments and suggestions on an earlier draft of the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Biology and Environmental Science, Agriculture and Food Science Centre, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

    David Wilson & Edward P. Farrell

  2. Finnish Forest Research Institute, Joensuu Research Centre, Joensuu, Finland

    Jukka Alm

  3. Peatland Ecology Group, Dept. of Forest Ecology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

    Terhi Riutta & Eeva-Stiina Tuittila

  4. Finnish Forest Research Institute, Parkano Research Centre, Parkano, Finland

    Jukka Laine

  5. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland

    Kenneth A. Byrne

Authors
  1. David Wilson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jukka Alm
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Terhi Riutta
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jukka Laine
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Kenneth A. Byrne
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Edward P. Farrell
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Eeva-Stiina Tuittila
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to David Wilson.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Wilson, D., Alm, J., Riutta, T. et al. A high resolution green area index for modelling the seasonal dynamics of CO2 exchange in peatland vascular plant communities. Plant Ecol 190, 37–51 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11258-006-9189-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11258-006-9189-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation