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 CH 4 flux by 55 to 85%, while the daily CH 4 flux at a Canadian boreal peatland with Carex rostrata removed decreased by over 30%. Dissolved CH 4 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 …