CO2 fluxes of 4 different plant compositions in the Pergschachen Moor

Peatlands cover over four million km2 representing 3% of the land and freshwater surface of the planet and contains one third of the world's soil carbon. In this study, CO2 exchange fluxes were measured in four sites located in Pergschachen Moor in the Styrian Enns valley, Austria representing four different plant compositions in the study area. Measurements were done during spring, summer and autumn using closed dynamic chamber approach and gas measurements were made using infrared gas analyser. The seasonal variability in addition to changes over day time of ecosystem respiration (Reco), gross primary production (GPP) and net ecosystem exchange (NEE) were investigated with respect to photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) and soil temperature measured at 2cm depth, water table changes were also considered. The effect of the different plant composition in the four sites on Reco, GPP and NEE were investigated. Finally, Reco, GPP and NEE were modelled and estimated fluxes were calculated in order to calculate the total CO2 exchange per square meter for the ecosystem over the year.