Sphagnum moss cell surfaces drive carbon capture in peatlands

An international study published in the journal New Phytologist has revealed how Sphagnum mosses in peatlands capture carbon in water-saturated environments. Researchers found a direct link between the chemical properties of the moss cells' surfaces and their photosynthetic performance under submerged conditions.

Peatlands cover approximately 3% of the Earth's surface but store nearly one-third of the planet's soil carbon. The research, which included contributors from Italy, Spain, France, Germany, the United States, and Japan, analyzed 20 Sphagnum species and four laboratory-grown clones. The findings indicate that species with a higher concentration of reactive chemical groups on their cell surfaces exhibit greater CO2 assimilation.

While all studied species maintained photosynthesis during water saturation, responses varied based on species and pH levels. Notably, Sphagnum palustre L. demonstrated a particularly stable response across the analyzed pH range.