Dynamics and Drivers of Carbon Dioxide Emissions in Two Types of Wetland Soils

Wetlands sequester substantial carbon due to their unique biogeochemical soil properties, yet they can emit significant carbon dioxide (CO2), especially in the context of climate change. This study examined the complexity of CO2 emissions from two distinct soil types in a natural wetland area formed along the Dambovita River. The results revealed significant positive correlations between CO₂ emissions and both soil temperature (r=0.813; p 0.01) and air temperature (r=0.793; p 0.01) at the SC location, while emissions peaked at 0.7282 g m⁻² h⁻¹ in SP following flooding, demonstrating distinct emission patterns driven by environmental factors. Extrapolation of CO2 emissions highlighted the importance of accounting for environmental uncertainties. Therefore, adjusting the monthly mean values yielded a more precise depiction of emissions by including day/night variations. Regression models predicting future CO2 emissions based on meteorological and physical parameters showed that multiple predictor models explained more variance in CO2 emissions. The investigation of these interactions improves predictions of CO2 fluxes from wetlands and their impacts on climate change, contributing with a higher level of confidence to the GHG emissions inventory.