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Abstract
Boreal and subarctic peatlands comprise a carbon pool of 455 Pg that has accumulated
during the postglacial period at an average net rate of 0.096 Pg/yr (1 Pg = 1015 g).
Using Clymo's (1984) model, the current rate is estimated at 0.076 Pg/yr. Longterm
drainage of these peatlands is estimated to be causing the oxidation to CO2 of a little
more than 0.0085 Pg/yr, with conbustion of fuel peat adding °0.026 Pg/yr. Emissions
of CH4 are estimated to release ° 0.046 Pg of carbon annually. Uncertainties beset
estimates of both stocks and fluxes, particularly with regard to Soviet peatlands.
The influence of water table alterations upon fluxes of both CO2 and CH4 is in great
need of investigation over a wide range of peatland environments, especially in regions
where permafrost melting, thermokarst erosion, and the development of thaw lakes are
likely results of climatic warming. The role of fire in the carbon cycle of peatlands
also deserves increased attention. Finally, satellite-monitoring of the abundance
of open water in the peatlands of the West Siberian Plain and the Hudson/James Bay
Lowland is suggested as a likely method of detecting early effects of climatic warming
upon boreal and subarctic peatlands.