CO₂ fluxes and evaporation on a peatland in the Netherlands appear not affected by water table fluctuations
The effect of shallow water table fluctuations on the evaporation and CO₂ fluxes in a peatland is investigated. The fluxes of evaporation and net ecosystem exchange of carbon were measured from mid-spring to the end of summer in 2005 and 2006 and simulated independently with process models. The observed and modelled data were then compared along a gradient of water levels. Any variation along the gradient would imply an influence of the water table on the flux. It became evident that changes in the water table had no effect on the evaporation and CO₂ fluxes of the peatland.