U.S.-Russia Planning Visit: Peatland Research Program: A Coordinated Approach

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This is a planning visit to Russia to develop collaborative research activities on the ecology and biogeochemistry of boreal peatland ecosystems. The principal investigators are Dale Vitt from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and Elena Lapshina from Tomsk State University, Russia.Peatlands have functioned as a large global net sink of atmospheric carbon dioxide over the past several thousand years. The sink status of these systems is now in question given ongoing and future predicted climate change. Through coordinated research in Siberia and North America the PIs seek to achieve a comprehensive global understanding of past, present and future carbon cycling in northern peatland ecosystems. Understanding the role of natural systems, including peatlands, in the global carbon cycle will continue to provide critical data relevant to predicting future climate. This project on the ecology and biogeochemistry of boreal peatland ecosystems fulfills the program objectives of bringing together leading experts in the U.S. and Eurasia to combine complementary efforts and capabilities in areas of strong mutual interest and competence on the basis of equality, reciprocity, and mutuality of benefit. This international project will also contribute to the training of a new generation of peatland ecologists as it includes the participation of U.S. graduate and undergraduate students.