Tradeoffs and scaling of functional traits in Sphagnum as drivers of carbon cycling in peatlands. Issue 7 (25th February 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Laing, C. G.; Granath, G.; Belyea, L. R.; Allton, K. E.; Rydin, H.
• Is Part Of: Oikos. Volume 123:Issue 7(2014)
• Page Start: 817
• Page End: 828
• Publication Date: 2014-02-25
• Subjects: Ecology -- Periodicals; 570
• DOI: 10.1111/oik.01061
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0030-1299

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>Growth and decomposition of <italic>Sphagnum</italic> controls turnover of a large global store of soil organic carbon. We investigated variation in morphological and physiological traits of <italic>Sphagnum</italic> shoots, and related this variation to canopy variables relevant to peatland carbon cycling. We sampled <italic>Sphagnum</italic> along a bog plateau‐swamp forest gradient and measured a suite of shoot traits and canopy variables. Major axes of variation were identified using principal component analysis and correlated with canopy variables such as growth, biomass and decomposition. We also examined scaling of shoot traits with one another and with canopy variables. Two distinct tradeoffs in shoot traits emerged. From dry to wet habitats, individual metabolic rates and capitulum size increased while numerical density decreased, leading to faster growth and elongation on an individual basis. From treed to open habitats, photosynthetic efficiency decreased and photosynthetic biomass increased, driving faster growth on an area basis and slower litter mass loss. The tradeoffs identified have important implications for peatlands undergoing climate‐related changes in water and light availability. <italic>Sphagnum</italic> trait comparisons, combined with scaling analyses, offer a promising approach to understanding and predicting the effects of environmental change on peatland carbon cycling.</p> </abstract>