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DOI

  • Clare Robinson
    University of Manchester
  • Jonathan Ritson
    University of Manchester
  • Danielle Alderson
    University of Manchester
  • Ashish A. Malik
    University of Aberdeen
  • Robert I. Griffiths
    UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Bangor
  • Andreas Heinemeyer
    University of York
  • Angela V. Gallego-Sala
    University of Exeter
  • Anne Quillet
    University of Reading
  • Bjorn J.M. Robroek
    Radboud University Nijmegen
  • Chris Evans
    Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Bangor
  • Dave M. Chandler
    Moors for the Future Partnership, UK
  • David R. Elliott
    University of Derby
  • Emma Shuttleworth
    University of Manchester
  • Erik A. Lilleskov
    USDA Forest Service
  • Ezra Kitson
    University of Edinburgh
  • Filipa Cox
    University of Manchester
  • Fred Worrall
    University of Durham
  • Gareth Clay
    University of Manchester
  • Ian Crosher
    Natural England
  • Jennifer Pratscher
    Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh
  • Jon Bird
    RSPB Dove Stone
  • Jonathan Walker
    Swansea University
  • Lisa R. Belyea
    Queen Mary University of London
  • Marc G. Dumont
    University of Southampton
  • Nichole G. A. Bell
    University of Edinburgh
  • Rebekka R. E. Artz
    The James Hutton Institute, Aberdeen
  • Richard Bardgett
    University of Manchester
  • Roxane Andersen
    University of the Highlands and Islands
  • Simon M. Hutchinson
    University of Leicester
  • Susan E. Page
    University of Leicester
  • Tim J. Thom
    Yorkshire Peat Partnership
  • William Burn
    University of York
  • Martin G Evans
    University of Manchester
This is a perspective review authored by peatland scientists, microbial ecologists, land managers and non-governmental organisations who were attendees at a series of three workshops held at The University of Manchester in 2019-2020. Here we review the impacts of climate change (search criteria for references are given in the introduction to the section “Effects of climate change on peatland microbial communities”) and ecosystem restoration on peatland microbial communities and the implications for C sequestration and climate regulation.Anthropogenic climate change puts continuous pressure on peatland ecosystems and modifies the geography of the environmental envelope that underpins peatland functioning. A probable impact of climate change is reduction in the water-logged conditions that are key to peatland formation and continued accumulation. Carbon (C) sequestration in peatlands arises from a delicate imbalance between primary production and decomposition, and microbial processes are potentially pivotal in regulating feedbacks between environmental change and the peatland C cycle. Globally, major efforts are being made to restore peatlands to maximise their resilience to changing climate. Here we review the impacts of climate change and ecosystem restoration on peatland microbial communities and the implications for C sequestration and climate regulation. Increased soil temperature, because of climate warming or disturbance of the natural vegetation cover and drainage, may result in reductions of long-term C storage via changes in microbial community composition and metabolic rates. Moreover, changes in water table alter the redox state and hence have broad consequences for microbial functions, including effects on fungal and bacterial communities, especially methanogens and methanotrophs. Our review suggests that the increase in methane flux sometimes observed when water tables are restored is predicated on the availability of labile carbon from vegetation and the absence of alternative terminal electron acceptors. Peatland microbial communities respond relatively rapidly to climate change-induced shifts in vegetation and subsequent changes in the quantity and quality of C substrate inputs belowground. Other effects of climate change on peatlands include alterations in snow cover and permafrost thaw that affect microbial communities and C cycling. In the face of rapid climate change, restoration of a resilient microbiome is essential to sustaining the climate regulation functions of peatland systems. Technological developments allowing quicker characterisation of microbial communities and function support progress towards this goal. Further progress will require a strong interdisciplinary approach.

Keywords

  • archaea, bacteria, climate change, fungi, resilience
Original languageEnglish
Article number02
Number of pages36
JournalMires and Peat
Volume29
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2 Feb 2023
Externally publishedYes
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