A globally robust relationship between water table decline, subsidence rate, and carbon release from peatlands

Abstract Peatland ecosystems are globally important carbon stores. Disturbances, such as drainage and climate drying, act to lower peatland water table depths, consequently enhancing soil release subsidence rates. Here, we conduct a global meta-analysis quantify the relationship among depth, subsidence. We find that decline stimulated heterotrophic, rather than autotrophic, respiration, which was associated with an increase in rate. This held across different zones land uses. 81% of total annual respiration for all drained peatlands attributable tropical agriculture forestry temperate agriculture. Globally, estimate that, 645 Mt C yr –1 (401–1025 ) through equivalent approximately 5% anthropogenic emissions. Our findings highlight importance conserving pristine help mitigate change.