Model-empirical Calculation of Methane and Carbon Dioxide Fluxes from Peatbog Soil

A new process-based model designed to develop a methodology for the inventory of greenhouse gas emissions from peatbog soils is presented. Within the framework of the general model, a new parameterized formula for calculating methane oxidation in the aerated soil layer and the vegetation layer is proposed. The proposed approach is defined as model-empirical, since the theoretical model relies on the use of values of model parameters determined by a specially developed experimental procedure. A detailed description of the model calibration by means of experimental studies of soil samples is given. Examples of the calculated dependences of methane and carbon dioxide flux densities on the peatbog water level are presented. A comparison with data on methane fluxes measured in boreal bogs demonstrated a satisfactory consistence of the calculated and measured values.