CWI

Northern ecosystems are of paramount importance in global greenhouse gas (GHG) cycles. However, knowledge on role of northern lakes and streams in conjunction with the surrounding landscape as sources of GHGs is still sparse. We need to learn how the different water sources (e.g. snow melt, rain or ground water) interact with different C sources (old or young) to fuel soil and aquatic microbial activity producing substantial GHG emissions. Understanding fluxes and age of C (new surface vs. old peat layer) in soils, lakes and streams is crucial for learning how these systems contribute to C emissions in a changing climate. Our study is taking place at Northern Finland, using a long-term research site at Pallas, and answering questions of aquatic systems' role in GHG emissions and mobility of terrestrial C. These issues are of ultra-high importance as the Arctic is undergoing drastic changes due to climate warming.

2022

2026