Impact of human activities on the carbon cycle

Abstract

Human activities have accelerated decomposition in wetland ecosystems, destabilizing carbon stocks in them. In particular, global climate change, drainage and atmospheric deposition are key activities that affect wetland carbon cycle substantially. Global climate change can affect carbon decomposition in wetlands by warming effects as well as more frequent droughts. Elevated CO 2 itself can increase dissolved organic carbon leaching from wetlands through enhanced primary production. For coastal wetlands, sea level rise can also affect carbon mineralization by changes in water chemistry as well as oxygen availability. Wetlands have been subject to drainage for the development of agricultural fields and urban dwellings which can accelerate carbon decomposition by aeration.