The goals of the CH4 component of the Arctic System Science (ARCSS) Land/Atmosphere/Ice Interactions (LAII) Flux Study are to: 1) produce regional CH4 flux estimates, and 2) perform field experiments that will elucidate the controls and feedback on CH4 and CO2 emission from tundra environments. The region flux estimates will be made using time series chamber measurements of CH4 flux at permanent sites along a transect covering a range of physiographic provinces. The locations and times of measurements will be coordinated with atmospheric CO2 studies of, with vegetation mapping studies, and with soil chemistry studies. The field experiments will involve manipulations of soil temperature and water table level, jar and core experiments at a range of temperatures and moisture contents, and a series of isotope labelling experiments. The experiments will provide information on CH4 oxidation to temperature and moisture changes, and the role of recently-fixed carbon in CH4 and CO2 emissions. These experiments will be performed in collaboration with other LAII-Flux investigators.
