Latitude, Elevation, and Mean Annual Temperature Predict Peat Organic Matter Chemistry at a Global Scale

Peatlands contain a significant fraction of global soil carbon, but how these reservoirs will respond to the changing climate is still relatively unknown. A picture variations in peat organic matter chemistry aid our ability gauge peatland response climate. The goal this research test hypotheses that (a) carbohydrate content, an indicator reactivity, increase with latitude and decrease mean annual temperatures, (b) while aromatic recalcitrance, vary inversely, (c) elevation have similar effect latitude. We used Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy examine functional groups 1034 samples collected from 10 20, 30–40, 60–70 cm depths at 165 individual sites across latitudinal gradient 79°N–65°S elevations 0–4,773 m. Carbohydrate contents high were significantly greater than originating near equator, content showed opposite trend. For latitudes different elevations, was lower higher elevations. Higher indicates potential for mineralization, whereas chemical composition low consistent their apparent relative stability face warmer temperatures. combination carbohydrates aromatics locations equator suggests mineralization until reaching recalcitrance under new temperature regime.