Tuhoavatko vai ylläpitävätkö varvut soiden hiilivarantoja?

This project studies the role of shrubs in peatland ecosystems. One of the largest uncertainties in current and future peat carbon dynamics lays in shrubs because their presence is increasing due to land use and climate change in the Northern hemisphere.

To better estimate and understand the fate of nearly 30% of global soil carbon store in peatlands, we need to understand whether shrubs accelerate decomposition processes or enhance accumulation of peat – perhaps they do simultaneously both? Gaining this basic, thus far lacking, ecological understanding of peatland ecosystems is the main goal of ShrubC-project. This understanding will allow us to better estimate the faith of peat soil carbon in changing environment.