Carbon accumulation dynamics and development processes of peatland established after the Changbaishan Millennium eruption

The Changbaishan Millennium eruption (946–947 CE) was one of the strongest volcanic activities over the past 2000 years, which greatly influenced the nearby wetland ecosystems. However, the carbon accumulation dynamics and development processes of these peatlands have rarely been investigated. This study tried to reveal the carbon accumulation dynamics and development processes of peatland established after the Changbaishan Millennium eruption. Here we selected the Yueliangwan peatland as study object. Results suggest that the Yueliangwan basin was a lake after the Changbaishan Millennium eruption. Then, a arid climate event occurred between 1250 and 1300 CE and dried out the water of this basin. During 1300–1384 years CE, the carbon accumulation rate (CAR) was low because of the peat initiation process. During 1384–1600 years CE, the CAR reached the highest over the past 700 years. Peat plants further rapidly expanded on the flat areas. During 1600–1750 years CE, the CAR showed a decreasing trend. The lateral expansion rate significantly slowed down because of the restriction of complex morphology. During 1750–1850 years CE, the CAR reached the lowest values. The lateral expansion of this peatland was over. During 1850–2019 years CE, the Yueliangwan peatland developed into bog stage. The CAR slightly increased during this period. These processes suggest that peatlands can rapidly develop after volcanic eruption. Additionally, correlation analyses indicate that regional precipitation controlled by the total solar irradiance and El Niño Southern-Oscillation (ENSO) activity played an important role in influencing the carbon accumulation dynamics and vegetation succession of the peatlands in Northeast China. This study would expand our understanding of long-term interactions between carbon accumulation dynamics and lateral expansion of peatlands, hydroclimate and volcanic activity.