Articles | Volume 23, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-23-565-2026
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-23-565-2026
Research article
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21 Jan 2026
Research article | Highlight paper |  | 21 Jan 2026

Multi-scale dynamics of carbon dioxide flux and its environmental drivers in the Pantanal wetland

Tarcis A. O. dos Santos, Alberto S. de Arruda, Paulo H. Z. de Arruda, and Gilney F. Zebende

Cited articles

Arruda, P. and Santos, T. A. O.: Climate dataset of Brazilian Pantanal wetland, Zenodo [data set], https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17230250, 2024. a, b
Bassler, K. E., Gunaratne, G. H., and McCauley, J. L.: Markov processes, Hurst exponents, and nonlinear diffusion equations: With application to finance, Physica A, 369, 343–353, 2006. a
Chambers, J. Q., Tribuzy, E. S., Toledo, L. C., Crispim, B. F., Higuchi, N., Santos, J. d., Araújo, A. C., Kruijt, B., Nobre, A. D., and Trumbore, S. E.: Respiration from a tropical forest ecosystem: partitioning of sources and low carbon use efficiency, Ecol. Appl., 14, 72–88, 2004. a
Couillard, M. and Davison, M.: A comment on measuring the Hurst exponent of financial time series, Physica A, 348, 404–418, 2005. a
Dalmagro, H. J., de Souza, P. J., Engelbrehct, M. M., de Arruda, P. H. Z., da S. Sallo, F., Vourlitis, G. L., Lathuillière, M. J., Pinto Junior, O. B., de S. Nogueira, J., Johnson, M. S., and Couto, E. G.: Net carbon dioxide exchange in a hyperseasonal cattle pasture in the northern Pantanal wetland of Brazil, Agr. Forest Meteorol., 324, 109099, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agrformet.2022.109099, 2022. a
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Co-editor-in-chief
This study examines how a major tropical wetland influences carbon exchange with the atmosphere. High-resolution CO₂ flux data from the Pantanal revealed a pattern in net ecosystem exchange that hints at an internal stabilising process in the carbon cycle of these wetlands. The work helps address a major observational gap in one of the most important yet least monitored floodplains. By applying advanced time-series methods to a uniquely detailed dataset, the study offers a framework that can be used widely in climate and ecosystem research. The findings are especially timely and relevant in view of current discussions about global carbon budgets and climate resilience.
Short summary
Our study uncovers the Pantanal's fragile carbon rhythm. Using an environmental monitoring tower, we found the world's largest wetland absorbs carbon in the wet season but releases it during drought. This finely balanced, water-driven cycle is critical for predicting its response to climate change and for protecting this globally important ecosystem.
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