Integrating Aquatic Metabolism and Net Ecosystem CO2 Balance in Short- and Long-Hydroperiod Subtropical Freshwater Wetlands

How aquatic primary productivity influences the carbon (C) sequestering capacity of wetlands is uncertain. We evaluated the magnitude and variability in aquatic C dynamics and compared them to net ecosystem CO2 exchange (NEE) and ecosystem respiration (R-eco) rates within calcareous freshwater wetlands in Everglades National Park. We continuously recorded 30-min measurements of dissolved oxygen (DO), water level, water temperature (T-water), and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). These measurements were coupled with ecosystem CO2 fluxes over 5 years (2012-2016) in a long-hydroperiod peat-rich, freshwater marsh and a short-hydroperiod, freshwater marl prairie. Daily net aquatic primary productivity (NAPP) rates indicated both wetlands were generally net heterotrophic. Gross aquatic primary productivity (GAPP) ranged from 0 to - 6.3 g C m(-2) day(-1) and aquatic respiration (R-Aq) from 0 to 6.13 g C m(-2) day(-1). Nonlinear interactions between water level, T-water, and GAPP and R-Aq resulted in high variability in NAPP that contributed to NEE. Net aquatic primary productivity accounted for 4-5% of the deviance explained in NEE rates. With respect to the flux magnitude, daily NAPP was a greater proportion of daily NEE at the long-hydroperiod site (mean = 95%) compared to the short-hydroperiod site (mean = 64%). Although we have confirmed the significant contribution of NAPP to NEE in both long- and short-hydroperiod freshwater wetlands, the decoupling of the aquatic and ecosystem fluxes could largely depend on emergent vegetation, the carbonate cycle, and the lateral C flux.

Automated summary

The study evaluated the impact of aquatic primary productivity on the carbon sequestering capacity of wetlands by comparing the dynamics of carbon, net ecosystem CO2 exchange, and ecosystem respiration in two types of calcareous freshwater wetlands. Results showed that both wetlands were generally net heterotrophic, with daily net aquatic primary productivity accounting for a small proportion of daily NEE rates and exhibiting high variability due to interactions between water level, water temperature, and carbon fluxes. The contribution of NAPP to NEE was found to be greater in the long-hydroperiod site compared to the short-hydroperiod site.