Wetland Soil Carbon Storage in the Prairie Pothole Region

PhD Research Project | 2020 - Present

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Key Findings

1. Identifying soil carbon variability in North America’s prairie pothole wetlands
A synthesis of prairie pothole carbon storage studies with data-mining based insights into trends amongst climate regimes and wetland management. We recommended strategies for addressing data gaps, predictive soil modelling, and wetland classification to advance region-specific soil carbon research and support and environmental carbon management programs (ie. carbon credits).

2. Classifying prairie pothole wetlands using remote sensing and open-source data
Developed a cutting-edge remote sensing approach that uses satellite imagery to predict wetland classifications for prairie pothole wetlands based on the duration of water ponding observed after spring snowmelt (Fig. 1). This method enhances wetland inventories for landscape-level water and soil carbon management in agricultural contexts.

3. Wetland soil carbon storage estimates and stock change factors for the Prairie Pothole Region
Utilized a pedometric approach to investigate wetland soil organic carbon variability with soil zone, wetland class, and other soil formation factors. These findings were then utilized to establish reference carbon storage values and management-related soil carbon stock change factors that will inform future landscape-level carbon modelling.

4. Soil carbon dynamics in drained prairie pothole wetlands
Quantified the impacts of drainage management on wetland soil carbon storage, showing that ephemeral wetlands with short pond permanence are most sensitive to carbon losses after drainage implementation. Integrated the physical, chemical, and biological aspects of soil carbon dynamics in these systems through research collaborations, and established opportunities for long term soil carbon drainage studies. This research was published in Frontiers in Environmental Science.

5. Soil salinity impacts greenhouse gas emissions in prairie pothole wetlands
Explored the effect of natural or management induced soil salinity fluctuations on GHG emissions and the cycling of soil carbon and nitrogen. Significantly, we found increasing GHG emissions with decreasing soil salinity. This is an important consideration for the management of naturally-occurring soil salinity in crop fields with irrigation or drainage.