The Effect of Hydrologic Pulses
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METHANE AND CARBON DIOXIDE FLUXES IN CREATED RIPARIAN WETLANDS IN THE MIDWESTERN USA: EFFECTS OF HYDROLOGIC PULSES, EMERGENT VEGETATION AND HYDRIC SOILS DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for The Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Anne E. Altor, B.S. * * * * * The Ohio State University 2007 Dissertation Committee Dr. William J. Mitsch, Advisor Dr. Virginie L. Bouchard Approved by Dr. Warren A. Dick Dr. Rattan Lal Advisor Environmental Science Graduate Program ABSTRACT Wetlands are important ecosystems involved in the global carbon cycle as producers and consumers of the greenhouse gases methane and carbon dioxide. The global warming potential of methane – 23 times greater that that of carbon dioxide over a 20 year time horizon – warrants examination of the dynamics controlling its emission from temperate zone wetlands created and restored for habitat replacement and water quality improvement. Research on carbon dynamics in created and restored ecosystems can enable greater understanding of management practices to promote carbon sequestration in these ecosystems. In the research conducted for this dissertation, ecosystem and mesocosm-scale investigations were carried out in experimental riparian wetlands of the Midwestern USA, with hydrology, vegetation and soils as independent variables. Methane and carbon dioxide fluxes were the dependent variables of interest in each of the studies. In a one-year field study, flood-pulse hydrology typical of floodplains in the Midwestern USA was simulated in two one-hectare riparian marshes. Methane fluxes were measured from February-December using non-steady-state chambers located in marsh zones with and without emergent vegetation in which soils were intermittently exposed and inundated, and in permanently inundated wetland areas. Annual methane fluxes from intermittently flooded zones were 30% of fluxes from permanently inundated -2 -1 wetland areas, which emitted ~42 g CH4-C m yr . Average growing season rates of ii methane flux from intermittently flooded zones with and without macrophytes did not -2 -1 differ significantly (~3.5 mg CH4-C m h ), but both were significantly less than those -2 -1 from permanently inundated areas (~8 mg CH4-C m h ). In an extension of the first, one-year study, methane and carbon dioxide flux rates were measured in the morning, afternoon and nighttime in the same experimental marshes over a second year during which hydrologic inflow was maintained at a relatively constant rate. Under these ‘steady-flow’ conditions, approximately the same total volume of inflow was delivered as during the flood-pulse year. Gas flux rates were measured in the same three wetland zones: continuously inundated areas; edge zones with emergent macrophytes; and edge zones without emergent macrophytes. Methane fluxes between the two years were not significantly different in edge zones with and without emergent vegetation, but were twice as high in continuously inundated zones during the steady-flow year. There was no apparent relationship between emergent vegetation and methane flux, as mean flux rates were not significantly different in either year in edge zones where emergent vegetation was removed, compared to edge zones containing emergent vegetation. Continuously inundated wetland zones emitted methane from summer through fall, while in edge zones methane fluxes were only substantial in spring and summer. Neither daytime rates of carbon dioxide uptake or nighttime rates of respiration were significantly different between the years for any wetland zone. When CO2 flux rates (daytime uptake plus nighttime respiration) were normalized for solar radiation and day length, solar efficiency was found to be comparable between the steady flow and pulsed years. Methane fluxes were more strongly affected than carbon dioxide fluxes by the differences in hydrology, but only in the deeper areas of the wetlands. iii T he hydrology and physiochemical properties of soils forming the foundation for created and restored wetlands determine what processes are likely to occur in these systems. In a companion, replicated study, effects of intermittent vs. continuous inundation, and hydric vs. non-hydric soils on fluxes of methane and carbon dioxide were investigated using 20 wetland mesocosms. The hydrologic treatments represented contrasting wetland restoration scenarios, and the soil treatments represented newly created and established wetlands. Hydric soils and continuously inundated treatments exhibited the greatest methane flux, while intermittently inundated conditions reduced methane fluxes significantly from hydric soils. Methane fluxes were not affected significantly by hydrologic treatment in mesocosms containing non-hydric soils. No relationship was observed between emergent vegetation and methane flux, and carbon dioxide and methane fluxes were not directly correlated. However, the highest rates of both CO2 uptake and CH4 flux were observed in treatments with steady-flow hydrology. As part of soil organic matter determination, the effect of combustion time was examined and a significant difference in soil organic matter content was found from one to three hours of combustion in both hydric and non-hydric soils ashed at 550°C. Microbially available organic carbon content was significantly greater in hydric soils than non-hydric soils, despite similar organic matter contents in the contrasting soil types. Methane fluxes from created wetland mesocosms fell within the ranges reported for comparable, natural wetlands. iv DEDICATION “Yesterday is already a dream and tomorrow is only a vision, but today well-lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a vision of hope.” Sanskrit proverb “What I love is near at hand, Always, in earth and air” Theodore Roethke v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS There are many individuals whose support and encouragement during my graduate work was invaluable. My advisor and dissertation committee made formative contributions to my research and academic development. I appreciate the many opportunities made available to me by my advisor, Dr. William Mitsch. Working at the ORWRP was never dull, and I am thankful for the independence I was given to pursue my research. Working under Bill provided me the opportunity to encounter Swamp Thing first hand, and on a more serious note, to interact with many interesting researchers in the fields of wetland ecology and ecological engineering. Bill’s keen insight and editing were very valuable during the writing process. Discussions with Dr. Virginie Bouchard gave a jump-start to my research methods and helped me substantially as I was beginning to work on interpreting field data. I appreciate the time Virginie took to read and discuss my work. Dr. Warren Dick provided a thorough reading and critique of my research plan, and helped me to identify avenues of soil research that would complement the gas flux studies. Thanks to Warren I was made aware of the Soil Science minor option and opportunities available therein. Discussions with Dr. Rattan Lal about the mesocosm study were helpful, and his rigorous emphasis on soil physical properties helped me to gain a solid understanding of this important foundation for ecological processes. vi Thank you to my parents, Nancy and Chuck Cladel, who have always been there for me and encouraged me to pursue work that I find fulfilling, and who have participated all along the way in the life and educational journey I have been on. Mom, I often think of your help in building the mesocosm chambers, when we were sawing up PVC and plastic boxes all day, and how you insisted we not take a break until the work was done. I’ve come back to that example often in my mind, and sometimes in practice! Our many discussions of science and ideas have been influential and inspirational to me. Pop, I appreciate your genuine interest in and support for what I’m doing, and the example you provide of dedication to your work and diverse interests. I also am thankful to my Grandma McMurry and Grandma Cladel for being important and supportive people in my life, each a positive example in her own way. One of the very best parts of my graduate experience has been the friendships and creative collaborations made with fellow lab mates and researchers. Maria E. Hernandez has been a cherished friend, mentor and collaborator, and our friendship and intellectual discussions have been an integral part of my life at and away from work. I’ll always be your friendly Buscapleitos! Chris Anderson provided friendship, knowledge and many valuable research discussions throughout, and I also appreciate the good times and ideas shared with friends and lab mates Dan Fink, Amanda Nahlik, Debra Gamble, Jennie Morgan, Blanca Bernal, Cassie Tuttle, and Chen Huang. Lab and office friends whose hard work and help I have appreciated include Kyle Chambers, Amber Hanna, Sherr Vue, Natalie Pinheiro, Jan Thompson, Brittany Cleveland, Monica Noon, Ryan Younge and Jeremiah Miller. A special thanks goes to Kyle Chambers who spent hours as a volunteer and then lab tech helping me in the field amidst hungry chiggers and horseflies, beautiful vii days and muck. Without his help, I could not have sampled as extensively, and would have missed some great conversations! Dr. Li Zhang deserves a special thank you. If there was a problem, Li was there to help, immediately. If there was ever a need to be filled, Li made sure it was taken care of. Chris Holloman’s help with statistical methods was timely and much appreciated. Finally, I appreciate design and construction ideas and help provided by Mark Warren, as well as his encouragement to pursue my education. Funding for my research and education was provided by several agencies including U.S. Department of Agriculture NRI CSREES Award 2003-35102-13518, an Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center of The Ohio State University Payne Grant, a Rhonda and Paul Sipp Wetland Research Award, the Environmental Science Graduate Program, and the Schiermeier Olentangy River Wetland Research Park. viii VITA January 19, 1970 ...........................….