Details of Award
NERC Reference : NER/B/S/2003/00842
Woody wetland plants:an overlooked trace gas emission pathway?
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Professor V Gauci, The Open University, Environment, Earth & Ecosystems
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor DJG Gowing, The Open University, Faculty of Sci, Tech, Eng & Maths (STEM)
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor N Dise, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Atmospheric Chemistry and Effects
- Grant held at:
- The Open University, Environment, Earth & Ecosystems
- Science Area:
- Atmospheric
- Overall Classification:
- Atmospheric
- ENRIs:
- Natural Resource Management
- Global Change
- Science Topics:
- Land - Atmosphere Interactions
- Environmental Physiology
- Tropospheric Processes
- Biogeochemical Cycles
- Ecosystem Scale Processes
- Soil science
- Climate & Climate Change
- Abstract:
- Trace greenhouse gases such as methane and nitrous oxide play an important role in the Earths greenhouse effect. Natural wetlands form the largest source of methane to the atmosphere and are also a source of nitrous oxide, so understanding the mechanisms responsible for the transfer of these gases from the point of production in oxygen poor soils to the atmosphere is critical if we are to accurately predict future changes in atmospheric greenhouse gas content. Over the last 2 decades, 3 pathways for the emission of these gases from source have been identified: 1) diffusion of gases from soils, 2) bubbling and 3) transport through hollow vessels in herbaceous plants. Yet estimates of the size of the wetland methane source as derived by measurements from wetlands using methods that currently exclude trees, consistently fall short of estimates made using direct measurements from the atmosphere. Features have been identified in trees adapted to flood or high water-table conditions that suggest they may also transport trace gases to the atmosphere. We propose that an important fourth pathway may be missing from these emissions-based estimates and that woody plants such as trees may be an important route by which trace gases enter the atmosphere. Given that 60% of wetlands are forested we aim, by studying 3 UK forested wetland systems, to explore the potential of this trace gas pathway to contribute to the emission of these important greenhouse gases.
- NERC Reference:
- NER/B/S/2003/00842
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Small Grants Pre FEC
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Small Grants
This grant award has a total value of £29,774
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - Staff | Total - T&S | Total - Other Costs | Total - Indirect Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| £13,337 | £7,013 | £3,289 | £6,135 |
If you need further help, please read the user guide.