Name
Impact of drying conditions on greenhouse gas fluxes from exposed wetland sediments
Date & Time
Tuesday, May 26, 2026, 2:00 PM - 2:15 PM
Description
Wetlands play a critical role in the carbon cycle, acting as major carbon reservoirs but also being significant natural sources of greenhouse gases (GHG). The Prairie Pothole Region is home to millions of pothole wetlands which undergo water recession during growing seasons, exposing sediments and potentially shifting GHG dynamics. Most research in this region has focused on GHG flux from ponded wetlands, and exposed sediment fluxes remain poorly studied despite their notable seasonal extent and potential contribution to GHG budgets, particularly under regional warming and agricultural nitrogen inputs. To address this gap, during the 2024 and 2025 growing seasons, we measured diffusive CH4, CO2, and N2O fluxes from the ponded areas and exposed sediments at four wetlands in Mistawasis Nêhiyawak, Saskatchewan. These wetlands are surrounded by various agricultural land uses, including cropland and livestock grazing. Results showed that CH4 fluxes were higher from water, whereas CO2 and N2O fluxes dominated from the exposed sediments. In 2025, which featured much drier conditions, CO2 fluxes from exposed sediments generally increased with distance from the water's edge. An interannual comparison of CO2 and N2O fluxes from exposed sediments showed that, in 2025, these fluxes were generally higher, likely due to drier conditions. Our findings highlight the importance of quantifying GHG fluxes from exposed wetland sediments and including them in regional GHG budgets to reduce uncertainty.
Location Name
DSU Council Chambers
Full Address
Dalhousie University
Halifax NS
Canada
Session Type
Oral Presentation
Abstract ID
162
Speaker Organization
University of Saskatchewan/GIWS
Session Name
B8 (1 of 2)
Co-authors
Colin Whitfield. Affiliation: University of Saskatchewan/GIWS
Presenting Author
Ana Alvarez-Caiza. Affiliation: University of Saskatchewan/GIWS