Effects of simulated inundation on wetland methane flux predictions for the southeastern U.S.

This work provides an overview of factors that influence methane emissions from natural wetlands in the southeastern U.S. at seasonal and interannual timescales. It then examines simulations using CLM4Me, a methane biogeochemistry model run within CESM, through comparison with recently compiled flux estimations from remote sensing data. In addition, we assess how seasonal methane flux simulations in CLM4Me are affected by the use of alternative estimates of inundated land fraction. Inundation predictions are provided by DYPTOP, a TOPMODEL implementation which can be used to simulate the dynamics of wetland spatial distribution. Results may aid in future model development and in understanding the role of subtropical and temperate North American wetlands under future climate projections.