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Carbon Storage and Fluxes within Freshwater Wetlands: a Critical Review

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Abstract

We critically review recent literature on carbon storage and fluxes within natural and constructed freshwater wetlands, and specifically address concerns of readers working in applied science and engineering. Our purpose is to review and assess the distribution and conversion of carbon in the water environment, particularly within wetland systems. A key aim is to assess if wetlands are carbon sinks or sources. Carbon sequestration and fluxes in natural and constructed wetlands located around the world has been assessed. All facets of carbon (solid and gaseous forms) have been covered. We draw conclusions based on these studies. Findings indicate that wetlands can be both sources and sinks of carbon, depending on their age, operation, and the environmental boundary conditions such as location and climate. Suggestions for further research needs in the area of carbon storage in wetland sediments are outlined to facilitate the understanding of the processes of carbon storage and removal and also the factors that influence them.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey. An International Post-doctoral Research Scholarship was awarded to Birol Kayranli. Iller Bank (Turkey) is thanked for supporting the lead author financially. Rory Harrington and James Burn contributed to the collection of references, and commented on draft versions of the paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Infrastructure and Environment, School of Engineering, The University of Edinburgh, William Rankine Building, The King’s Buildings, Edinburgh, EH9 3JL, Scotland, UK

    Birol Kayranli, Miklas Scholz & Atif Mustafa

  2. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Forest Products, Box 7008, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden

    Åsa Hedmark

  3. Air Policy Unit, Corporate Office, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Erskine Court, Castle Business Park, Stirling, FK9 4TR, Scotland, UK

    Åsa Hedmark

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  1. Birol Kayranli
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  2. Miklas Scholz
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  3. Atif Mustafa
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  4. Åsa Hedmark
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Correspondence to Miklas Scholz.

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Kayranli, B., Scholz, M., Mustafa, A. et al. Carbon Storage and Fluxes within Freshwater Wetlands: a Critical Review. Wetlands 30, 111–124 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13157-009-0003-4

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