Sphagnum moss is the main peat-forming species in many boreal peatlands. As a non-vascular species, water supply to the photosynthetic surface is controlled by capillarity. Moisture content of the moss is closely linked to carbon exchange, however, hydrologic linkages between the atmosphere, Sphagnum layer and underlying peat soil are not well-quantified.
This research investigates moisture controls on Sphagnum moss carbon exchange and relationships between moss moisture content and the hydrology of the underlying peat.
Sphagnum moss
Lab set-up for monitoring peat moisture content and Sphagnum growth
Related publications:
- Strack M, Waddington JM, Lucchese MC, Cagampan JP. 2009. Moisture controls on CO2 exchange in a Sphagnum-dominated peatland: Results from an extreme drought field experiment. Ecohydrology, 4, 454-461, doi: 10.1002/eco.68.
- Strack M, Price JS. 2009. Moisture controls on carbon dioxide dynamics in peat-Sphagnum monoliths. Ecohydrology, 2, 34-41, doi: 10.1002/eco.36.
- Taylor, N., Price, J.S., Strack, M. in press. Hydrologic controls on productivity of regenerating Sphagnum in a cutover peatland, Ecohydrology, accepted October, 2015