Improved activity data for accounting greenhouse gas emissions due to management of wetlands

Abstract

The study represents results on remote sensing methods based evaluation of land use and land use changes in former and existing peat extraction areas in Latvia. The aim of the study is to elaborate activity data set for the National GHG inventory for the wetlands remaining wetlands for peat extraction. The study results provide sufficient data for application of the default emission factors for the peat extraction sites and flooded lands. Abandoned peat extraction fields, which are not yet afforested, flooded or rewetted should be reported as peat extraction sites following a conservative approach in application of the emission factors. The study results can be used to report land use changes since 1990; however, linearized approach in calculation of the land use change may result in overestimation or underestimation of GHG emissions in certain periods of time. According to study results, the area of peat extraction sites is considerably bigger than currently reported in the National GHG inventory, mainly due to considerable areas of abandoned peat extraction fields. Flooded lands may be a significant source of emissions and should be introduced in the National GHG inventory to secure consistency of reporting. Methodology for calculation of GHG emissions from flooded lands should be also elaborated. It is also necessary to elaborate emission factors for fertile and nonfertile peat extraction sites and continue work on separation of different soils in the inventory to increase accuracy of calculations.

Case study on greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes from flooded former peat extraction fields in central part of Latvia

“…The area of former peat extraction sites is 54.9 kha. Significant areas of drained wetlands used for peat extraction earlier are already afforested (mostly naturally), flooded area is about 5.3 ha (Butlers & Ivanovs, 2018). No significant potential to increase the flooded area is found Krīgere, Kalniņa et al, 2019).…”

The Surface-to-Atmosphere GHG Fluxes in Rewetted and Permanently Flooded Former Peat Extraction Areas Compared to Pristine Peatland in Hemiboreal Latvia

“…According to the latest information, there were 89.3 kha of drained organic soils in croplands and 77.0 kha in grasslands, as well as 31.6 kha of drained peat extraction areas in 2021 in Latvia [23]. Butlers and Ivanovs (2018) recently estimated that active peat extraction currently occurs in 22% of the total area previously drained for peat extraction in Latvia, while ~10% of the area previously drained for peat extraction is under flooded and rewetted conditions [24]. However, it should be emphasised that only part of the mentioned area with organic soil corresponds to the typical Histosol.…”