Question

QUESTION 6 Global estimates of denitrification in terrestrial ecosystems are of the order 200*10' glyr, and approximately half of that total occurs in wetland ecosystems. If restoration efforts result in an increase in wetlands area by approximately 25%, it would be expected that losses of nitrogen from ecosystems to the atmosphere through denitrification would be closer to 275*1012 g/yr 175*1012 gyr 225*1012 g/yr 325*1012 glyr

Answer 1

Denitrification is the process whereby the compounds like nitrate and nitrites are consumed and thereby the stored forms of nitrogen are released into the environment. Plants consume these nitrates and nitrites and release nitrogen out. Wetlands and terrestrial ecosystems are one of the major players involved in this process.

Here, we are told that globally, the terrestrial ecosystems are denitrifying at the order of 200*10^12gallons/year. Half of this comes from the wetland.

Hence wetland contribution = 0.5*200*10^12 gallons/year = 100*10^12 gallons/year

And hence the non-wetland terrestrial contribution = 200-10^12 - 100*10^12 gallons/year = 100*10^12 gallons/year

Now, if the wetland areas are increased by 25%, the denitrification from wetlands would also rise by 25%.

Hence the wetland contribution would be = 1.25*100*10^12 gallons/year = 125*10^12 gallons/year

And thus the total terrestrial contribution after wetland restoration would be = wetland contribution + non-wetland contribution = 125*10^12 gallons/year + 100*10^12 gallons/year = 225*10^12 gallons/year