Exploring Dissolved Organic Carbon Variations in a High Elevation Tropical Peatland Ecosystem: Cerro de la Muerte, Costa Rica

High-elevation tropical peatlands, often overlooked due to their fragmented nature, exhibit significant variations in dissolved organic carbon (DOC) that contribute to understanding broader carbon dynamics. A study in the Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves, Costa Rica, revealed DOC concentrations ranging from 0.2 to 47.0 mg/L across an altitudinal gradient of 2,400–3,100 m a.s.l., with a notable prevalence of recalcitrant soil-derived DOM. The research employed optical properties, including fluorescence peak ratios and humification indexes, to assess DOM sources and decomposition processes during the rainy season. Findings indicated a mixture of soil organic matter, microbial CO2, and minimal DIC from bacterial activity, underscoring the complex carbon cycling in these ecosystems. This baseline data highlights the potential for high-elevation peatlands to inform tropical carbon dynamics, offering critical insights for conservation efforts.

Ricardo, S.-M., Paola, G.-A., Rolando, S.-G., Germain, E.-H., Roy, P.-S., & María, P. (2022). Exploring Dissolved Organic Carbon Variations in a High Elevation Tropical Peatland Ecosystem: Cerro de la Muerte, Costa Rica. Frontiers in Water, 3. https://doi.org/10.3389/frwa.2021.742780