ClimMani
ES1308 COST ClimMani STSM report
After an STSM supported by ClimMani we request that the participant provides a short report to the
STSM manager ([email protected]) following the below outline. Deadline: No later than 4
weeks after return. No reimbursement of travel costs will be made until the STSM report has been
submitted.
STSM applicant (Name and affiliation)
M.Sc. Małgorzata Zielińska
Laboratory of Wetland Ecology, Department of Biogeography and Paleoecology, Institute of
Geoecology and Geoinformation, Adam Mickiewicz University
Gender and scientific experience
Woman – PhD student, master of environmental protection
Host (person and affiliation)
Prof. Alexandre Buttler
Ecological Systems Laboratory ECOS, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, Switzerland
Time of the STSM
16.03.-27.03.2015
Title/subject of the STSM
How drought and warming affects Sphagnum peatland vegetation, carbon stock and decomposition
of organic matter
Main purpose of the STSM and relevance to ClimMani
Analyzing data set from a climate change experiment in N Poland
ClimMani WG to which the STSM is most relevant
WG3
Outcome/result/conclusions of the STSM (main report)
The aim of the STSM mission was to discuss obtained experimental data with partners from EPFL
Lausanne, Switzerland.
The data are resulting from the warming experiment (www.climpeat.pl) that is currently carried out
in N Poland in cooperation with Swiss partners. The experiment is one of the peatland warming
experiments spreading from France, through Poland to Western Siberia. The CLIMPEAT data fill the
gap in the experimental network in Europe. The underlying idea of the project is to determine to
what extent climate warming in combination with drought can modify peatland functioning in a
polish bog which fits in an oceanic-continental climate gradient. In particular we want to see how
these climate changes can deteriorate the C sink function of peatland ecosystems. More precisely,
this part of the project aims at evaluating the effects on the structure of plant communities and
primary production (Sphagnum growth, species composition), and dynamics of labile and recalcitrant
organic matter (OM) of the peat substrate.
The visit was important for the PhD research project and consultation of the results are highly
important. The focus was on data discussion in case of the statistical analyses that can be applied for
obtained dataset.
Statistical consultation included: Sphagnum growth, litter decomposition, vegetation cover changes
and the results of water chemistry analysis.
The CLIMMANI will benefit from the strengthening relationships between W and CE European study
groups.
Mission helped with overview on dataset and to create characteristics, the best usage of data.
Discussed data will be the PhD research, published in highly ranged journals.
1.
Statistical analysis of the multivariate data (vegetation cover)
Figure 1. Redundancy analysis of vegetation cover on Linje mire on September 2013 and 2014.
Figures shows similar tendency in vegetation cover in both analyzed years (fig.1). Dry gradient
is linked to vascular plants, including Pinus sylvestris and Eriophorum vaginatum,
while the wet - Sphagnum fallax. In both cases, it is significant wet impact on vegetation structure.
2.
Synthesis of vegetation cover changes, Sphagnum growth, litter decomposition, and
water chemistry from the experimental vs control plots.
2.1. Vegetation cover changes
Sphagnum cover
Vascular plants cover
Figure 2. Sphagnum and vascular plants cover changes on Linje mire on September 2013 and 2014.
The vegetation structure was divided into two groups: Sphagnum (mosses) and vascular plants. In the
2014 it is lower Sphagnum cover and higher vascular plants cover than in 2014. Sphagnum cover
is the highest in wet gradient, while vascular plants in dry gradient in 2013 and 2014 (fig. 2).
2.2. Sphagnum growth
Figure 3. Sphagnum increment (cm) on Linje mire in 2013.
The highest increment of Sphagnum mosses is in wet-OTC, the lowest in dry-CTL treatment (fig.3).
Water level treatments show the highest significant differences (p=0,005) in Sphagnum growth.
Figure 4. Sphagnum increment (cm) on Linje mire in 2014.
The highest increment of Sphagnum mosses is in wet-OTC, the lowest in dry-CTL treatment (fig.4).
Water level treatments show the highest significant differences (p=0,0071) in Sphagnum growth, but
also there is warming (OTC) effect (p=0,0208).
2.3. Litter decomposition
Figure 5. Organic matter (OM) decomposition (g) of mix substrate (Eriophorum, Pinus, Sphagnum) on
Linje mire after two years (2012-2014).
The highest decomposition of mix-OM is in dry-OTC treatment, the lowest in wet treatment (fig.5).
There is significant difference between dry-OTC and dry-CTL.
2.4 Water chemistry
Figure 6. Means of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) on Linje mire in 2013 (May, September,
November) .
DOC is the lowest in May, increase in September and decrease in November. There are differences in
May between cut and noncut treatments, dry treatment shows higher level of DOC (mg/l).
SUMMARY
1) Water level treatment has the highest effect on vegetation cover, Sphagnum growth.
2) Dissolve organic matter (DOM) shows seasonality and its level depend on warming effect.
3) Litter decomposition depends on warming (OTC) and drought (water level).
Evaluation of the STSM (bullet-points on to what extent did it contribute to advance science, build
experience, build network ….)
STSM contribute to strengthening of network between Swiss and Polish learning centers. This
collaboration allowed the acquisition of new analytical and statistical skills, that will be used in the
future work. During the stay, I took also part in the laboratory meetings, which enabled also to
increase the knowledge of other scientific disciplines. STSM brought ideas for applying new
innovative projects in Poland.
Planned publications and timing
Zielińska M., Buttler A., Jassey V., Barabach J., Chojnicki B., Słowińska S., Słowiński M.,
Lamentowicz M. Sphagnum peatland vegetation responses to hydrological and temperature
manipulations in northern Poland, Journal of Vegetation Science. June 2015.
Zielińska M., Buttler A., Jassey V., Chojnicki B., Słowińska S., Słowiński M., Lamentowicz M.
Organic matter decomposition in warming experiment in northern Poland. November 2015.
Further work
Continuation vegetation analysis in September 2016 on Linje mire.