Freshwater ponds have recently been identified as important sources of greenhouse gases (GHG) to the atmosphere, (Vonk et al. 2015). In Polar Regions, ponds actively process previously stored inputs of organic material from thawing permafrost, amplifying the amount of GHG release (Laurion et al. 2010). The objective of this study is to develop an understanding of what controls the concentrations of methane (CH4), a GHG 30 times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO2), in ponds using multivariate statistical tools. Over the course of three summers, 50 ponds were sampled across the circumpolar region. The pond encompassed three unique systems including tundra, larch forest, and mire (wetland) ecosystems. In addition to water chemistry, dissolved CH4 and CO2 concentrations, and physical measurements, we also assessed the role of within pond vegetation communities and fire severity as factors impacting pond chemistry and CH4 concentrations. Our results suggest that that fire reduces dissolved CH4 concentrations and that vegetation, mainly moss-dominated ponds, also reduces dissolved CH4 concentrations in ponds.
DISCLAIMER: This is a course project. Some of the data presented on this website have been modified for the purpose of using statistical techniques.
References
Laurion, Isabelle, et al. "Variability in greenhouse gas emissions from permafrost thaw ponds." Limnology and Oceanography 55.1 (2010): 115-133.
Vonk, Jorien E., et al. "Reviews and syntheses: Effects of permafrost thaw on Arctic aquatic ecosystems." Biogeosciences 12.23 (2015): 7129-7167.