Wetlands, Earth’s most prominent natural source of methane, have seen a significant increase in methane emissions over the past two decades, according to a study by the Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is approximately 30 times more powerful than carbon dioxide at warming the atmosphere. The research team analyzed wetland methane emissions data across the entire Boreal-Arctic region and found that these emissions have increased by approximately 9% since 2002.

The rise in wetland methane emissions is attributed to increasing temperatures in Boreal and Arctic ecosystems, warming at about four times the global average rate. This warming leads to enhanced microbial activity and vegetation growth, both associated with releasing gases like methane. The study, published in Nature Climate Change, highlights the urgent need to accurately quantify methane emissions from these higher-latitude regions to understand better and address climate change.

The research team utilized advanced monitoring methods to analyze over 307 total years of methane emissions data across wetland sites in the Arctic-Boreal region. They found that higher temperatures and increased plant productivity were the primary drivers of the higher methane emissions. The year 2016, the warmest year in the high latitudes since 1950, recorded the highest wetland methane emissions, further emphasizing the impact of climate variability on methane release.

The study’s findings provide a scientific baseline for understanding wetlands’ role in the global climate system and the pace at which their methane emissions have increased. Researchers aim to contribute to understanding and mitigating climate change by accurately monitoring and addressing wetland methane emissions.

References

• Bobyock, J. & Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. (2024, February 15). Study shows methane emissions from wetlands increase significantly over high latitudes. Phys.Org; Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. https://phys.org/news/2024-02-methane-emissions-wetlands-significantly-high.html
• Yuan, K., Li, F., McNicol, G., Chen, M., Hoyt, A., Knox, S., Riley, W. J., Jackson, R., & Zhu, Q. (2024). Boreal–Arctic wetland methane emissions modulated by warming and vegetation activity. Nature Climate Change, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-024-01933-3