Hypothesis

While wetlands generally emit methane, carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide, the quantity of methane released is usually much greater than nitrous oxide, and methane is a much stronger greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. The exact amount of each gas released is dependent on several factors affecting the wetland environment. Based on factors such as position of the water table, and presence of carbon in the wetland, the following hypotheses were formed:

1. The wetland model with the greatest water volume, Model E, will release the largest quantity of methane, and the smallest quantity of carbon dioxide. The models with the smallest water volume, C and D, will release the smallest quantity of methane and the largest quantity of carbon dioxide.

2. Models C and D will have the lowest Global Warming Potential, and Model E will have the highest.