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https://doi.org/10.5463/thesis...
Doctoral thesis . 2025 . Peer-reviewed
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Wetlands’ Methane Emissions

Data-driven methods for improved quantification of methane emissions from wetlands using satellites
Authors: Albuhaisi, Yousef Ahmad Yousef;

Wetlands’ Methane Emissions

Abstract

This research aimed to enhance the accuracy of methane (CH₄) emissions estimates from natural wetlands by integrating satellite observations and advanced modeling techniques. Wetlands are among the largest natural sources of CH₄. However, current estimates carry large uncertainties due to the spatial and temporal variability of wetland characteristics. This study focused on reducing those uncertainties using high-resolution datasets and evaluating the role of environmental drivers, particularly wetland extent and soil moisture. Chapter 2 examined how spatial resolution affects CH₄ emissions modeling in the Fennoscandinavian Peninsula, a region with high-quality environmental data. Using a simple but efficient model, CH₄ emissions were simulated with input from a 100 m wetland map, and then the resolution was systematically coarsened. Results showed a threefold increase in estimated emissions at the finest resolution, driven by correlations between soil moisture and soil carbon. This revealed that coarse-resolution models may severely underestimate emissions due to spatial averaging. To mitigate resolution-dependent errors, the study recommended using high-resolution datasets and modeling approaches that preserve spatial correlations, such as multivariate probability density functions. The research also emphasized the need for globally consistent, fine-resolution wetland datasets to improve model accuracy and reduce discrepancies seen in global CH₄ emission inventories. Chapter 3 focused on the role of soil moisture in CH₄ emissions by applying the MeSMOD model, which uses high-resolution satellite and hydrological model soil moisture data. Calibration was done using observations from 13 FLUXNET-CH₄ sites. Simulations with 100 m soil moisture data performed better than those using coarser inputs, demonstrating the critical value of fine-scale moisture information. Upscaling the model to the pan-Arctic region revealed spatial variations tied to differences in wetland maps, but MeSMOD aligned well with other models in key CH₄-emitting regions like western Canada and West Siberia. Seasonal patterns peaked in July–August and dipped during winter, consistent with biogeochemical models. The model also captured CH₄ emission anomalies in 2016 and especially in 2020, which corresponded with record-breaking global CH₄ growth. This was attributed to warm temperatures and early snowmelt in northern latitudes. These findings support the use of high-resolution satellite data in improving CH₄ flux estimates and understanding climatic influences on emissions. Chapter 4 extended previous studies by analyzing CH₄ emissions over the South Sudan Wetlands Region (SSWR) from 2018 to 2022 using TROPOMI satellite data, river altimetry, and outputs from the PCR-GLOBWB hydrological model. CH₄ emissions in SSWR increased by 77.8% during this period, rising from 9.2 to 16.3 Tg CH₄ yr⁻¹. This surge was linked to increased wetness and warmer temperatures driven by ENSO-related climate variability. River altimetry confirmed a strong relationship between rising water levels and CH₄ emissions, particularly in upstream catchments. Time-lag analysis showed that hydrological parameters like soil moisture, groundwater recharge, and capillary rise led CH₄ emissions by days to weeks, indicating their influence on production processes. Capillary rise, in particular, showed a surprisingly strong correlation, suggesting new avenues for research. These results highlight the need for catchment-specific analyses rather than regional averaging, which can obscure critical hydrological-emission relationships. General Conclusions The research underscores the crucial role of high-resolution datasets for wetland CH₄ modeling. In the Fennoscandinavian Peninsula, finer resolutions revealed much higher emissions than coarser ones, mainly due to the nonlinear interaction of soil properties. In boreal and pan-Arctic regions, using high-resolution satellite soil moisture significantly improved emission estimates and allowed clear identification of temporal trends. In tropical wetlands, such as the SSWR, combining satellite observations and hydrological modeling revealed the dynamic interaction between climate, river systems, and CH₄ emissions. Overall, this work provides a framework for improving global CH₄ budgets by integrating satellite data, hydrological modeling, and targeted catchment-scale analysis.

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Netherlands
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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average