A large-scale international study has revealed how rising temperatures could affect the ability of wetlands to store carbon. With the help of an innovative method using tea bags , they found that high temperatures accelerate the decomposition of organic matter, resulting in a decrease in the amount of carbon retained in the soils of these ecosystems.
Using tea bags in carbon measurement
The team of scientists used 19,000 green and rooibos tea bags buried in 180 wetlands across 28 countries over a three-year period. Although tea bags may seem like an unusual tool, their use has been an effective technique for measuring the release of carbon from soil into the atmosphere . This indirect method allows for a clear view of how different soil types and climates influence carbon sequestration.
The study found that in warmer wetlands, organic matter decomposition occurred more quickly , reducing the ability of these ecosystems to store carbon . Rooibos tea, which is more resistant to decomposition, showed that higher temperatures had a negative impact, even on the types of carbon that are expected to remain in the soil longer.
Wetlands: friends or enemies of climate change?
Wetlands are essential in the fight against climate change , as they act as important carbon sinks. However, this study highlights that global warming could compromise their ability to mitigate CO₂ emissions. The study’s findings suggest that freshwater wetlands and tidal marshes have the greatest potential to store carbon , highlighting the importance of protecting these key ecosystems.
The research team plans to combine the results of this study with other global studies on carbon sinks in forests and other terrestrial ecosystems. The data collected will enable the development of more accurate predictive models , which could offer solutions to improve the capacity of wetlands and other ecosystems to store carbon as global temperatures continue to rise.
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Source and photos: RMIT