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Hydrology and Land Surface Studies
Ecohydrological feedbacks confound peat-based climate reconstructions
Article first published online: 5 JUN 2012
DOI: 10.1029/2012GL051500
Copyright 2012 by the American Geophysical Union
Additional Information
How to Cite
, , , , and (2012), Ecohydrological feedbacks confound peat-based climate reconstructions, Geophys. Res. Lett., 39, L11401, doi:10.1029/2012GL051500.
Publication History
- Issue published online: 5 JUN 2012
- Article first published online: 5 JUN 2012
- Manuscript Accepted: 7 MAY 2012
- Manuscript Revised: 3 MAY 2012
- Manuscript Received: 25 FEB 2012
Keywords:
- ecohydrology;
- holocene;
- palaeoclimate;
- peat;
- peat development model;
- testate amoebae
[1] Water-table reconstructions from Holocene peatlands are increasingly being used as indicators of terrestrial palaeoclimate in many regions of the world. However, the links between peatland water tables, climate, and long-term peatland development are poorly understood. Here we use a combination of high-resolution proxy climate data and a model of long-term peatland development to examine the relationship between rapid hydrological fluctuations in peatlands and climatic forcing. We show that changes in water-table depth can occur independently of climate forcing. Ecohydrological feedbacks inherent in peatland development can lead to a degree of homeostasis that partially disconnects peatland water-table behaviour from external climatic influences. We conclude by suggesting that further work needs to be done before peat-based climate reconstructions can be used to test climate models.