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Recent rates of carbon accumulation in montane fens ofYosemite National Park, California, U.S.A.

Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research
USGS/National Park Service Park Oriented Biological Support
By: , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.1657/AAAR0015-002

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Abstract

Little is known about recent rates of carbon storage in montane peatlands, particularly in the western United States. Here we report on recent rates of carbon accumulation (past 50 to 100 years) in montane groundwater-fed peatlands (fens) of Yosemite National Park in central California, U.S.A. Peat cores were collected at three sites ranging in elevation from 2070 to 2500 m. Core sections were analyzed for bulk density, % organic carbon, and 210Pb activities for dating purposes. Organic carbon densities ranged from 0.026 to 0.065 g C cm-3. Mean vertical accretion rates estimated using210Pb over the 50-year period from ∼1960 to 2011 and the 100-year period from ∼1910 to 2011 were 0.28 (standard deviation = ±0.09) and 0.18 (±-0.04) cm yr-1, respectively. Mean carbon accumulation rates over the 50- and 100-year periods were 95.4 (±25.4) and 74.7 (±17.2) g C m-2 yr-1, respectively. Such rates are similar to recent rates of carbon accumulation in rich fens in western Canada, but more studies are needed to definitively establish both the similarities and differences in peat formation between boreal and temperate montane fens.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Recent rates of carbon accumulation in montane fens ofYosemite National Park, California, U.S.A.
Series title Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research
DOI 10.1657/AAAR0015-002
Volume 47
Issue 4
Year Published 2016
Language English
Publisher Bioone
Contributing office(s) California Water Science Center
Description 13 p.
First page 657
Last page 659
Country United States
State California
Other Geospatial Yosemite National Park
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
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