The unique cycling of CH4 and N2O in tropical peatlands of Peru, Costa Rica and Brazil, a comparative analysis

The research plan is identical to all research locations. In Peru, we are collaborating with Professor Grober Panduro Pisco at the Universidad Nacional de Ucayali in Pucallpa. The field site is located close to the city of Pucallpa. In Brasil, our local collaborator is Professor Bjoern Guecker from the Universidade Federal Sao Joao del-Rei in Minas Gerais. This field site is located in proximity to Manaus in the Central Amazon. In Costa Rica, we are officially collaborating with Dr. Ana Gabriela Perez-Castillo from the Universidad de Costa Rica. Novel peatlands in Peru, Brazil, and Costa Rica contain large stocks of biomass, a potential source for the aggressive greenhouse gases methane and nitrous oxide. In our project, we assessed methane emissions and followed preliminary findings of an unprecedented capability of peat soil: an apparent capacity to consume nitrous oxide. If this potential could be confirmed and characterized in the scope of our project, we could establish a strong argumentation for the conversation of tropical peatlands, which are inherently connected to the overall U.N. developmental research goals, besides counteracting climate change.