Modelling time-integrated fluxes of CO2 and CH4 in peatlands: A review

Abstract

There is widespread interest in estimating annual carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) budgets for peatlands using data collected from flux chambers. Flux-chamber measurements are a snapshot of the conditions on a particular site and may not adequately represent fluxes between measurements. However, these measurements can be used in simple models to estimate time-integrated fluxes of CO2 and CH4. This paper reviews modelling approaches used for estimating such time-integrated fluxes and provides what we hope is a ‘one-stop-shop’ for new researchers, such as PhD students, considering using such models. The review is written for those with a non-mathematical background.

Keywords

• flux chambers
• models
• peatland-atmosphere greenhouse gas exchanges
• time integration