Warming enhances soil carbon accumulation in boreal Sphagnum peatlands through an increase in plant productivity and iron protection, as well as through the inhibition of microbial decomposition. These responses stand in sharp contrast to the responses of boreal forests and tundra to warming, which suggests that Sphagnum peatlands have the potential to counteract boreal carbon loss under future climate warming.
Warming consistently enhanced soil carbon accumulation in boreal Sphagnum peatlands through three key pathways: (1) increased plant productivity, (2) reduced microbial decomposition and (3) enhanced iron (Fe) protection of organic carbon (OC).
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