Water table control of CH4 emission enhancement by vascular plants in boreal peatlands

Removal of the vascular vegetation (Eriophorum vaginatum) at two sites in a Swedish boreal peatland decreased the seasonal CH4 flux by 55 to 85%, while the daily CH4 flux at a Canadian boreal peatland with Carex rostrata removed decreased by over 30%. Dissolved CH4 pore water concentrations in the rooting zone were 1.2 to 2.5 times greater than the storage at similar sites where vegetation was removed by clipping, suggesting that the removal of …