Carbon dynamics of pristine and hydrologically modified fens in the southern Rocky Mountains

Abstract

We measured water table levels, above- and below-ground plant production, and CO2 and CH4 emissions for five fens in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, to determine whether a water diversion project was adversely affecting carbon cycling. Two fens were located beneath the water diversion, and three fens were located in an adjacent pristine watershed. The diversion lowered water table levels in one fen, while the other fen was not hydrologically modified. Total NPP (net primary production) for all sites ranged from 130 to 316 g C·m–2·year–1, with a mean of 217 g C·m–2·year–1, and belowground NPP accounted for ~60% of the total. Maximum CO2 emissions for pristine fens ranged between 170 and 273 mg CO2-C·m–2·h–1, with annual emissions of 230–388 g CO2-C·m–2·year–1. However, the hydrologically modified fen had maximum CO2 emissions of 457 mg CO2-C·m–2·h–1 and had an annual flux of 573 g CO2-C·m–2·year–1. Maximum CH4 emissions ranged from 3 to 25 mg CH4-C·m–2·h–1, with annual emissions of 9–61 g CH4-C·m–2·year–1. The water diversion structure lowered water tables, increased CO2, decreased CH4 and NPP, and resulted in the site likely becoming a net source of carbon.Key words: peatlands, fens, CO2, CH4, hydrology, Rocky Mountains, Rocky Mountain National Park, plant production.