Verification of mechanisms of mire acidification by cation exchange of Sphagnum

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K06339
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 45040:Ecology and environment-related
• Research Institution: Tokyo University of Agriculture
• Principal Investigator: Nakamura Takatoshi 東京農業大学, 生物産業学部, 教授 (80408658)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 湿原酸性化 / ミズゴケの陽イオン交換

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The presence of strongly acidic environments in mires is critical for maintaining ecosystem functions and vegetation distribution mechanisms. However, there have been few field studies on the acidification mechanisms of mires, and the verification of its mechanism has not progressed.
In this study, we focused on acidification by Sphagnum cation exchange, and examined the cation exchange capacity of seven Sphagnum species growing in the mire and the pH environment of their habitats. The soil water pH showed a significant decline in the habitats where the high cation-exchange capacity Sphagnum species were present, strongly suggesting that the strongly acidic environment in the mires is primarily driven by Sphagnum.

Free Research Field

植物生態学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

これまでフィールドデータに基づく定量的な検証がほとんど無いまま議論が続いてきたミズゴケ陽イオン交換と湿原酸性化の関係について、本研究ではフィールドでの定量的データに基づくより確実な知見を得ることができた。本研究で得られた成果は、pH環境によって規定される湿原特有の植生分布構造や、強酸性の泥炭土壌として維持される炭素シンク機能において、それらを支える基盤メカニズムの理解に今後大きく貢献するものと思われる。