Dissertation Research: The Link between Elevated CO2 and Methane Emissions: Does Plant or Microbial Composition Matter

湿地在全球变暖中发挥着重要作用，为甲烷（一种主要的吸热气体）的产生和释放提供了理想的条件。研究人员将研究全球变化如何影响植物和微生物在决定湿地甲烷排放量上升方面的作用。该项目侧重于大气二氧化碳浓度上升与甲烷排放量增加有关的概念。对于该项目，他们提出，大气中二氧化碳的升高会增加植物的生产力和植物根部不稳定化合物的释放，从而刺激产甲烷微生物的生长和活性。此外，由于大气中二氧化碳的增加改变了植物的物理性状，如根和芽的大小或体积增加，净甲烷排放量可能会增加。

Wetlands play an important role in global warming by providing ideal conditions for the production and release of methane, a dominant heat-trapping gas. The investigators will study how global change impacts the roles of plants and microorganisms in determining the rise of methane emissions from wetlands. The project focuses on the concept that rising concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide are linked to increases in methane emissions. For the project, they propose that elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide increases plant productivity and the release of labile compounds from plant roots, thereby stimulating the growth and activity of methane-producing microbes. Furthermore, as increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide alter plant physical traits, such as increasing root and shoot size or volume, net methane emissions are likely to increase.