Unlocking the Sphagnum Genome for C Cycle Research and Ecological Genomics

Sphagnum (peatmoss) - dominated peatlands store a vast amount of terrestrial carbon as dead organic peat. Sphagnum is a keystone genus in these ecosystems, with its biological function (e.g., photosynthetic CO₂ gain, recalcitrant decomposition, acidification) and abiotic environment influencing ecosystem structure and function. Together these attributes have supported the claim that Sphagnum is the most important plant genus for carbon cycle and therefore climate. In this presentation, we will introduce the audience to current research projects that are developing Sphagnum genomic resources including mapping populations, transcriptomics, matting systems, phylogenetics, functional trait characterization and highlight the recent DOE Joint Genome Institute initiative to sequence the genome. An anticipated outcome from this presentation is a dialog on how to extend current knowledge from the moss genomics community to further carbon cycle research in this ecologically relevant organism.