Mw.ir. A.J.G. (Angela) Breeuwer: “Effects of climate change and nitrogen deposition on vegetation and decomposition in bog ecosystems”

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3 Jun 2008 13:30
Unit: Wageningen University
Location: Aula, building 362, Gen. Foulkesweg 1, Wageningen
Organisation: Wageningen University
Promotor: prof.dr. F. Berendse (Nature Conservation and Plant Ecology)
Co Promotor: Dr.ir. M.M.P.D. Heijmans

 Ombrotrophic bogs serve as important long-term sinks for atmospheric CO2 because CO2 is stored in deep peat layers. These ecosystems are dominated by different species of peatmoss and some grass and shrub species. In this PhD research the effects of climate change on the vegetation composition and break down of litter were investigated. When temperature and N deposition increase as a result of climate change, the composition of the vegetation can change: peatmosses that grow in dry places can increase compared to peatmosses from wet microhabitats. The cover of grasses and shrubs will increase, which can have a negative effect on peatmoss production on the long term. Through higher nitrogen deposition, the litter of peatmosses can become more easily decomposable, and the grass litter will decompose faster as a result of increase temperature. As a result of climate change, ombrotrophic bogs will become richer in nutrients and have a higher cover of vascular plants, which will  result  in less CO2 storage.
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