Combining Eddy Covariance and Chamber Methods to Better Constrain CO2 and CH4 Fluxes Across a Heterogeneous Restored Tidal Wetland

Tidal wetlands play an important role in global carbon cycling by storing carbon in sediment at millennial time scales, transporting dissolved carbon into coastal waters, and contributing significantly to global CH4 budgets. However, these ecosystems' greenhouse gas monitoring and predictions are challenging due to spatial heterogeneity and tidal flooding. We utilized eddy covariance and chamber measurements to quantify fluxes of CO2 and CH4 at a restored tidal saltmarsh across spatial and temporal scales. Eddy covariance data revealed that the site was a strong net sink for CO2 (-387 g C-CO2 m(-2) yr(-1), SD = 46) and a small net source of CH4 (0.7 g C-CH4 m(-2) yr(-1), SD = 0.4). After partitioning net ecosystem exchange of CO2 into gross primary production and ecosystem respiration, we found that high net uptake of CO2 was due to low respiration emissions rather than high photosynthetic rates. We also found that respiration rates varied between land covers with increased respiration in mudflats compared to vegetated areas. Daytime soil chamber measurements revealed that the greatest CO2 emission was from higher elevation mudflat soils (0.5 mu mol m(-2)s(-1), SE = 1.3) and CH4 emission was greatest from lower elevation Spartina foliosa soils (1.6 nmol m(-2)s(-1), SD = 8.2). Overall, these results highlight the importance of the relationships between wetland plant community and elevation, and inundation for CO2 and CH4 fluxes. Future research should include the use of high-resolution imagery, automated chambers, and a focus on quantifying carbon exported in tidal waters.

Automated summary

Tidal wetlands play a crucial role in global carbon cycling, but their greenhouse gas monitoring and predictions face challenges due to spatial heterogeneity and tidal flooding. This study used eddy covariance and chamber measurements to quantify CO2 and CH4 fluxes in a restored tidal saltmarsh. The results showed that the wetland acted as a net sink for CO2 and a small net source of CH4. The study also highlighted the importance of wetland plant community, elevation, and inundation in influencing carbon fluxes. Future research should focus on incorporating high-resolution imagery, automated chambers, and quantifying carbon export in tidal waters.