An article by four Duke University Wetland Center scientists looks at how low-intensity wildfire slows the decomposition of organic matter in peatlands. The research, published in the journal Global Change Biology, indicates that low-severity fire is a factor that should be considered when studying carbon cycling and carbon budgets in peatlands. Lead author Neal Flanagan and co-authors Hongjun Wang and Curtis Richardson are current DUWC members, while Scott Winton is a Wetland Center alumnus.
Flanagan, N.E., H. Wang, S. Winton, and C.J. Richardson. 2020. Low-severity fire as a mechanism of organic matter protection in global peatlands: Thermal alteration slows decomposition. Global Change Biology advanced access pre-publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.15102
