Oxidation of peat organic carbon is a critical determinant of greenhouse gas emissions from peatland ecosystems. This session aims to bridge the gap between biogeochemical processes at the pore scale and their environmental impacts at the ecosystem scale. At the heart of peat carbon oxidation are microorganisms that act on molecular carbon substrates, driving biogeochemical reactions at a microscale. These microbial processes are fundamental, yet they operate on a scale that poses challenges for direct observation and measurement, and modeling. Our current methodologies provide valuable data on carbon turnover and peatland dynamics. However, there remains a significant challenge in inferring processes at the microscale and extrapolating or linking these drivers to the ecosystem scale. This linking is needed to be able to make estimations and future predictions of carbon emissions from peatlands and the consequences of a changing climate.
This scientific session will focus aims to integrate across the multiple scales of peat carbon oxidation. We will explore:
1. Microscale Processes: Understanding the role of biogeochemistry and microorganisms in peat decomposition and the processes that determine peat carbon oxidation potentials and rates
2. Intermediate-Scale Measurements: Applying techniques and methodologies to measure carbon turnover and emissions, the insights they provide in underlying processes, and techniques for upscaling
3. Challenges in Upscaling: Addressing the links between small-scale processes and ecosystem-scale emissions. This includes modeling approaches and integrative methods to connect scales.
Our goal is to foster a dialogue that integrates these different scales of study, ultimately enhancing our ability to predict and manage the effects of peat carbon oxidation on the global carbon cycle. By integration across scales, we aim to advance our understanding of peatland functioning and to develop more accurate models reflecting the true complexity of peatland ecosystems.
Join us in this session to contribute to a comprehensive understanding of peat oxidation and its far-reaching implications.