Low impact of dry conditions on the CO2 exchange of a Northern-Norwegian blanket bog

Northern peatlands hold large amounts of organic carbon (C) in their soils and are as such important
in a climate change context. Blanket bogs, i.e. nutrient-poor peatlands restricted to maritime climates,
may be extra vulnerable to global warming since they require a positive water balance to sustain their
moss dominated vegetation andCsink functioning. This study presents a 4.5 year record of land–
atmosphere carbon dioxide (CO2) exchange from the Andøya blanket bog in northern Norway. Compared
with other peatlands, the Andøya peatland exhibited low flux rates, related to the low productivity
of the dominating moss and lichen communities and the maritime settings that attenuated seasonal
temperature variations. It was observed that under periods of high vapour pressure deficit, net ecosystem
exchange was reduced, which was mainly caused by a decrease in gross primary production. However,
no persistent effects of dry conditions on theCO2 exchange dynamics were observed, indicating
that under present conditions and within the range of observed meteorological conditions the Andøya
blanket bog retained its Cuptake function. Continued monitoring of these ecosystem types is essential
in order to detect possible effects of a changing climate.
peatland, carbon, blanket bog, eddy covariance, climate change, net ecosystem exchange