The emission of methane from UK wetlands

Sets of peat monoliths have been installed in open-top chambers at ITE and investigations into the factors controlling emission fluxes of methane are being investigated. Emission fluxes in the range 0 to 400 ng m-2 s-1 have been observed. The magnitude of the emission flux is a function of peat temperature in the surface layer and height of the water table. Data from an automatic weather station will permit the modelling of potential changes in methane emux due to changes in climate. Preparations for field-based measurements of methane emission from peat bogs are well advanced. The first collaborative experiments will take place in July 1992 with colleagues from the Universities of Manchester and Edinburgh.