Analysis

Calculating the Global Warming Potential of Each Model

1. Add the above and belowground plant mass to get the total plant biomass for each wetland model.

Plants belowground + aboveground = g biomass

2. Divide this total by 2, because it is assumed that approximately ½ of each plant is carbon.

g biomass/2 = gC

3. Assuming that every atom of carbon in the plants got there by taking up a CO2, multiply the total grams of carbon in each wetland model by 44g/mol CO2
12g/mol C
to find the total CO2 uptake of the model.

gC x 44g/mol CO2
12g/mol C

4. To find the average daily plant uptake flux of each model, divide the total biomass by the number of days of the experiment and by the surface area of the model chamber.

CO2 (uptake) =gCO2/m2/d.
#days x surface area

5. Multiply the CH4 by 25 and divide it by 1000 to convert mg units to g.

CH4 flux x 25
1000g

6. Subtract the CO2 and CH4 fluxes from the uptake to get the GWP in CO2 equivalent.

Uptake-CO2 flux-CH4 flux

= GWP in CO2 equivalents

*Note: A negative Global Warming Potential demonstrates that the wetland has a net atmospheric warming effect. Likewise, a positive GWP demonstrates a net cooling effect.