Wetland Plant Community Succession and Carbon Sink Dynamics under Climate Change

Abstract

Climate change is profoundly altering wetland plant community succession, with significant consequences for the stability and carbon sink capacity of these ecosystems. Rising temperatures, shifting hydrological regimes, sea-level rise, and extreme events reshape community composition through species turnover, trait adaptation, and altered assembly processes. Regional responses are diverse: tropical wetlands face mangrove retreat under sea-level rise and storm disturbance; temperate wetlands experience accelerated carbon mineralization under recurrent drought; and boreal peatlands diverge into drained sites that emit CO₂ and inundated zones that release methane. These dynamics are further shaped by feedback mechanisms. Positive loops, such as permafrost thaw and peat fires, intensify carbon losses, while negative buffers, including prolonged growing seasons and anoxic preservation of organic matter, partly mitigate emissions. Understanding these contrasting outcomes is crucial for predicting global carbon-climate interactions. Effective management demands region-specific approaches, including hydrological stabilization, restoration of degraded sites, and facilitation of species migration. Supported by remote sensing, long-term monitoring, and advanced modeling, such strategies are essential to safeguard wetland carbon services under future climate scenarios.