MODELLING THE IMPACT OF SOIL AND METEOROLOGICAL PA-RAMETERS ON CARBON DYNAMICS IN WETLAND ECOSYSTEMS

Wetlands are characterised by distinct hydrological regimes and have significant importance in the global carbon cycle, having the potential to reduce carbon emissions through long-term carbon storage in the soil. In this study, carbon dynamics were simulated using a process-based model DeNitrification-DeComposition (DNDC), for two locations along Dâmbovița River case study area. These scenarios took into consideration the interconnection of soil parameters, hydrology, meteorological conditions and vegetation type. The findings showed that soil CO2 emissions are positively and strongly correlated with air temperature and soil moisture, with changes in the water content of the soil regime having the greatest impact on CO2 fluxes. Also, the model simulations have been validated by statistical analysis of uncertainties with the values of CO2 fluxes measured in situ using the dynamic closed chamber method. By comparing DNDC outputs with field measurements, the performance of the model was evaluated in different environmental conditions and the results were consistent, which increased confidence in its application for assessing wetland ecosystems. These results contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the carbon cycle in wetlands and an improved estimation of the effects of climate change on the dynamics of carbon in these ecosystems.