Journal article
Ecosystem context modulates salinization impacts on diffusive greenhouse gas fluxes in coastal wetland soils
Geoderma, Vol.472, pp.1-12
08/2026
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Abstract
Saltwater intrusion is accelerating salinization in coastal wetlands, altering soil ionic strength and sulfate availability with potential consequences for soil diffusive greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes. Despite numerous local studies, large-scale response patterns and associated mechanisms remain insufficiently resolved. Here, we combined a global meta-analysis of chamber-based soil diffusive GHG fluxes (76 studies; 813 paired observations) with a year-long mesocosm experiment to quantify salinization effects on soil diffusive CO2, CH4, and N2O fluxes. In tidal marshes, salinization suppressed CO2 and CH4 fluxes more strongly than in mangroves, by 31% and 42%, respectively, whereas N2O declined modestly by 14%. In mangroves, suppression was dominated by N2O, which declined by 38%, with smaller reductions in CO2 (7%) and CH4 (10%). Across studies, CO2 and CH4 responses were associated mainly with ambient salinity and temperature seasonality, whereas N2O responses were more closely associated with tidal range. By contrast, Δsalinity, the magnitude of salinity change, showed weaker explanatory power for soil diffusive GHG responses. The mesocosm experiment provided process-related support for these patterns. In Cyperus-planted mesocosms, salinization reduced labile carbon pools and acetate availability and was associated with lower functional potential for organic matter breakdown (cex, cdh, xylA) and methanogenesis (mcrA, acsB), consistent with lower soil diffusive CO2 and CH4 fluxes. In Kandelia-planted mesocosms, salinization reduced dissolved inorganic nitrogen availability, increased C:N ratios, and was associated with lower functional potential for nitrogen fixation, nitrification, and denitrification (nifH, amoA, narG, nirS), consistent with stronger N2O suppression. These findings suggest that salinization effects on coastal-wetland soil diffusive GHG fluxes are shaped by environmental gradients and soil biogeochemical conditions rather than by Δsalinity alone. Incorporating ecosystem context into process-based models may improve predictions of short- to medium-term GHG responses to salinization in coastal wetland soils.
Details
- Title
- Ecosystem context modulates salinization impacts on diffusive greenhouse gas fluxes in coastal wetland soils
- Creators
- Yi Liu - Fuzhou UniversityDehong Hu - Fuzhou UniversityTao Bao - Chinese Academy of SciencesLifei Su - Fuzhou UniversityTing Wang - Fuzhou UniversityXiangling Zhou - Fuzhou UniversityShijia Liu - Fuzhou UniversitySiqi Zheng - Fuzhou UniversityYuanbin Cai - Fuzhou UniversityShihua Li - Fuzhou UniversityJiafang Huang - Fujian Normal UniversityPingping Guo - National Forestry and Grassland Administration (China)Judith A. Rosentreter - Southern Cross UniversityMin Luo - Fuzhou University
- Publication Details
- Geoderma, Vol.472, pp.1-12
- Publisher
- Elsevier B.V.; AMSTERDAM
- Grant note
- This work was financially supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (32471672; 32071598; 42401110), the Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province (2024 J01274; 2020 J01503; 2024 J01446), the Fujian Minjiang River Estuary Wetland National Nature Reserve Administrative Office (MJHKSD20230202), the Study on “the Current Status of Blue Carbon Sequestration and Carbon Trade in the Coastal Wetlands of Fuzhou City” ([350182]FJYHZB[GK]2024001), and the Key Laboratory of Ocean Space Resource Management Technology, Ministry of Natural Resources (KF-2024-108).
- Identifiers
- 991013390851702368
- Copyright
- © 2026 The Author(s).
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Science and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article