2025-07-17 ロイヤルメルボルン工科大学(RMIT)
＜関連情報＞
- https://www.rmit.edu.au/news/all-news/2025/jul/wetlands
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301479725024090
水辺の湿地帯の復元による炭素と窒素の恩恵とその他の重要な生態系機能 Restoring riparian wetlands for carbon and nitrogen benefits and other critical ecosystem functions
Lukas Schuster, Stacey Trevathan-Tackett, Paul Carnell, Kay Morris, Bryan Mole, Martino E. Malerba
Journal of Environmental Management Available online 2 July 2025
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.126433
Highlights
- Rewetting and revegetation cut carbon emissions and increased surface organic carbon stocks within one year of restoration.
- Recalcitrant leaf litter from native vegetation experienced slower decomposition, likely promoting surface carbon storage.
- Restored wetlands had higher surface nitrogen stocks and moisture levels, indicating increased nutrient and water retention.
- In a long-term restored wetland (>6 years), surface carbon stocks increased by 53 %, demonstrating lasting carbon benefits.
Abstract
With global warming intensifying, freshwater wetland restoration is becoming an increasingly important natural climate solution. Yet, restoration efforts for climate benefits have mostly focused on peatlands due to their high carbon storage capacities. Nevertheless, restoration often results in substantial methane emissions, complicating the climate benefits of restoration. Contrastingly, the climate benefits of restoring non-peat wetlands remain largely unexplored. We investigated the short- and long-term effects of restoring riparian wetlands to reinstate critical carbon dynamics and other ecosystem functions. Using a paired experimental design, we monitored carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) fluxes before, during, and after restoration. We also monitored native wetland plant cover, surface organic carbon and nitrogen stocks, leaf litter input, organic matter decomposition, and soil moisture. In the short term (one year post-restoration), rewetting and active revegetation reduced net carbon emissions by 39 % and increased surface organic carbon and nitrogen stocks by 12 % and 43 %, respectively. Restored wetlands had higher native plant covers, with native litter experiencing less decomposition than invasive litter, likely promoting carbon preservation. Furthermore, restored wetlands retained 55 % more soil moisture after drying, with moisture levels increasing with increasing soil carbon contents. Together, these results indicate the reinstatement of critical functions like reduced carbon mineralisation, and increased nutrient retention and soil water storage. In the longer term (six years post-restoration), surface organic carbon stocks increased by 53 %, demonstrating sustained long-term benefits. Our study highlights the effectiveness of riparian wetland restoration as a natural climate solution, providing critical insights for restoration policies beyond peatlands.
