Potentially peat‐forming biomass of fen sedges increases with increasing nutrient levels

Peat formation is a key carbon sequestration process in the terrestrial biosphere. In temperate fens, peat mainly formed by below-ground biomass of vascular plants. Nutrient availability fens naturally variable, and nowadays increasing due to atmospheric deposition, runoff from agriculture mineralization caused drainage. To maintain or restore formation, it important understand how increased nutrient influences main controls that is, production decomposition. We investigated above- decomposition five fen sedges (Carex spp.) grown under 12 different levels (realized with nitrogen amounts exponentially across levels, addition phosphorous potassium ensure limitation each level) mesocosm experiment, designed resemble gradient very low high availabilities fens. addition, we measured stoichiometry related this possible growth limitations root Our results indicate higher at was not offset an increase Increase species-specific. Decomposition standardized plant material mesocosms dependent on species growing showed only slight, if any, variation differing levels. roots correlated identity lignin:cellulose ratio. study suggests Carex spp. potentially peat-forming biomass, here defined as which decomposed during one season, increases levels: counteracted season. Based pattern positive mass balance common sedge characteristics, propose communities establishing after rewetting have potential for renewed regardless prevailing trophic level. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within Supporting Information article.