The effects of drought on Sphagnum moss species and the implications for hydrology in peatlands

Peatlands store more carbon (C) than any other terrestrial ecosystem and as a C sink they are vital to mitigating climate change. The keystone of many peatland ecosystems is Sphagnum, a bryophyte genus of c. 350 species found on every continent except Antarctica. With climate change, many peatlands face increasing frequency and severity of drought. How Sphagnum responds to and recovers from drought will be key to sustaining peatlands over the coming decades. Here, we synthesise the latest evidence for how interactions of drought with Sphagnum affect peatland functioning. We discuss how Sphagnum traits, from the cellular to the community, control its ecohydrology and what changes occur during drought. We detail the effects of drought on Sphagnum C cycling and biochemistry, including photosynthesis, growth, respiration and methane (CH₄) fluxes. We also highlight drought resilience and tipping points for Sphagnum physiology and at the ecosystem level. The implications of Sphagnum drought responses for peatland hydrology, restoration and wildfires are also outlined. Finally, we identify knowledge gaps and propose some urgent questions which should be addressed in future research.