Research
Theme 1 & 2
www.darwincenter.nl
Project 1061

Microbiology and biogeochemistry of peatland ecosystems
Project leader: Prof. dr. ir. M. S. M. Jetten
Researcher(s): Dr. D. J. Kip
Starting date: 16-okt-06

Abstract
In peatland ecosystems dominated by Sphagnum species a net accumulation of organic material takes place. Although wetlands are the largest natural source of atmospheric methane, by far the largest part of methane formed is recycled and does not reach the atmosphere. Recently, we have shown that submerged Sphagnum mosses consume methane through symbiosis with partly endophytic methanotrophic bacteria, leading to highly effective in situ methane recycling. Methane acts as a significant (5–20%) carbon source for Sphagnum mosses. This finding has changed our concept of carbon cycling in these freshwater environments fundamentally. The aim of this project is to investigate the newly found symbiosis between methane oxidizing micro-organisms and Sphagnum with respect to carbon sequestration efficiency, under various environmentally relevant conditions. Further, we want to compare the importance of the methanotroph-Sphagnum interactions in peat bog lawns and pools, to gain insight in the global importance of these interactions. This approach will result in improved insight into the complex carbon biogeochemistry of bog peatlands, including the role of microbial activity (particularly of methanotrophs), plant ecophysiology and geochemistry. By knowing the various biogeochemical processes, we expect to improve our understanding of the effects of global changes like increasing temperature and CO2 concentrations.

Publications
Nardy Kip, Julia F. van Winden, Yao Pan, Levente Bodrossy, Gert-Jan Reichart, Alfons J. P. Smolders, Mike S. M. Jetten, Jaap S. Sinninghe Damsté and Huub J. M. Op den Camp (2010). Global prevalence of methane oxidation by symbiotic bacteria in peat-moss ecosystems. Nature Geosciences3: 617-621.
Darwin Center authors: op den Camp H. J. M., Jetten M. S. M., Kip D. J., Reichart G. J., Sinninghe Damsté J. S., van Winden J. F.

F. J. W. Parmentier, J. van Huissteden, N. Kip, H. J. M. Op den Camp, M. S. M. Jetten, T. C. Maximov, and A. J. Dolman (2010). The role of endophytic methane oxidizing bacteria in submerged Sphagnum in determining methane emissions of Northeastern Siberian tundra. Biogeosciences Discussions7: 8521-8551.
Darwin Center authors: op den Camp H. J. M., Dolman A. J., van Huissteden J., Jetten M. S. M., Kip D. J., Parmentier F. J. W.

Nardy Kip Wenjing Ouyang Julia van Winden Ashna Raghoebarsing Laura van Niftrik Arjan Pol Yao Pan Levente Bodrossy Elly G. van Donselaar Gert-Jan Reichart Mike S. M. Jetten Jaap S. Sinninghe Damsté and Huub J. M. Op den Camp (2011). Detection, Isolation, and Characterization of Acidophilic Methanotrophs from Sphagnum Mosses. applied and environmental microbiology77: 5643-5654.
Darwin Center authors: op den Camp H. J. M., Jetten M. S. M., Kip D. J., van Niftrik L.A.M.P., Reichart G. J., Sinninghe Damsté J. S., van Winden J. F.

Parmentier, F.J.W., Van Huissteden, J., Kip, N., Op Den Camp, H.J.M., Jetten, M.S.M., Maximov, T.C., Dolman, A.J. (2011). The role of endophytic methane-oxidizing bacteria in submerged Sphagnum in determining methane emissions of Northeastern Siberian tundra . BiogeosciencesVolume 8, Issue 5: 1267-1278.
Darwin Center authors: op den Camp H. J. M., Dolman A. J., van Huissteden J., Jetten M. S. M., Kip D. J., Parmentier F. J. W.

Nardy Kip (2011). Methanotrophy in peatlands. March 2011.
Darwin Center authors: Kip D. J.

N. Kip, C. Fritz, E. S. Langelaan, Y. Pan, L. Bodrossy, V. Pancotto, M. S. M. Jetten, A. J. P. Smolders, and H. J. M. Op den Camp (2012). Methanotrophic activity and diversity in different Sphagnum magellanicum dominated habitats in the southernmost peat bogs of Patagonia . Biogeosciences9: 47-55.
Darwin Center authors: op den Camp H. J. M., Jetten M. S. M., Kip D. J.