Short period of oxygenation releases latch on peat decomposition

Brouns, Karlijn; Verhoeven, Jos T. A.; Hefting, Mariet M.

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.02.030

Cited by 53 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 52 publications

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“…Desiccation can be triggered through direct local drainage (e.g., construction of drainage ditches), but it can also be the result of alterations in regional hydrology (e.g., increased rates of groundwater abstraction can reduce regional seepage fluxes ). When peat soil desiccates, intrusion of oxygen becomes a driving force for increased rates of organic matter decomposition and mineralization (Brouns et al, 2014), which eventually results in nutrient release and eutrophication (Grootjans et al, 1986). Moreover, peat oxygenation triggers carbon loss (Laiho, 2006;Brouns et al, 2014), soil subsidence (Gambolati et al, 2006), regeneration of electron acceptors (Fenner et al, 2011), acidification (Beltman et al, 2001;Cusell et al, 2013), leaching of base cations (Laiho et al, 1999), shifts in vegetation assembly and a loss of typical biodiversity (Malson and Rydin, 2007;Malson et al, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…When peat soil desiccates, intrusion of oxygen becomes a driving force for increased rates of organic matter decomposition and mineralization (Brouns et al, 2014), which eventually results in nutrient release and eutrophication (Grootjans et al, 1986). Moreover, peat oxygenation triggers carbon loss (Laiho, 2006;Brouns et al, 2014), soil subsidence (Gambolati et al, 2006), regeneration of electron acceptors (Fenner et al, 2011), acidification (Beltman et al, 2001;Cusell et al, 2013), leaching of base cations (Laiho et al, 1999), shifts in vegetation assembly and a loss of typical biodiversity (Malson and Rydin, 2007;Malson et al, 2008). Long-term peat degradation can alter biogeochemical conditions to such an extent that successful fen restoration becomes notoriously difficult, even after restoration of the hydrological conditions (Zak et al, 2010(Zak et al, , 2014Brouns et al, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, peat oxygenation triggers carbon loss (Laiho, 2006;Brouns et al, 2014), soil subsidence (Gambolati et al, 2006), regeneration of electron acceptors (Fenner et al, 2011), acidification (Beltman et al, 2001;Cusell et al, 2013), leaching of base cations (Laiho et al, 1999), shifts in vegetation assembly and a loss of typical biodiversity (Malson and Rydin, 2007;Malson et al, 2008). Long-term peat degradation can alter biogeochemical conditions to such an extent that successful fen restoration becomes notoriously difficult, even after restoration of the hydrological conditions (Zak et al, 2010(Zak et al, , 2014Brouns et al, 2014). Eventually, it is likely that the sum of these biogeochemical alterations in the top soil can trigger a shift toward a system that is governed by a different set of positive feedback mechanisms, possibly forcing the peatland toward an alternative degraded state (Suding et al, 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although topsoil removal is a well-established measure in nature conservation on mineral soils (Allison and Ausden 2004;Olsson and Ödman 2014), the effect of topsoil removal in rich fens (in which an underlying peat layer is exposed) is only documented fragmentarily (Patzelt et al, 2001(Patzelt et al, , 2007Klimkowska et al, 2007Klimkowska et al, , 2015, often with contrasting results. We believe this is due to the difficulty of predicting the effects of exposing an underlying high-quality peat layer after topsoil removal, as rapid peat mineralization and concomitant re-eutrophication is not unlikely (Brouns et al, 2014). To empirically test the effects of topsoil removal on abiotic conditions and rich fen development, we conducted a comparative field study in which we analyzed the mid-term (3-18 years) effects of past topsoil removal in six rich fens.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Topsoil removal in degraded rich fens: Can we force an ecosystem reset?

Emsens

Aggenbach

Smolders

et al. 2015

Ecological Engineering

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A B S T R A C TGlobal land-use intensification and drainage has altered the biogeochemical properties of many peatlands, and concomitant eutrophication has led to a loss of low-competitive fen species. We investigated the hypothesis that removal of a degraded and eutrophied top peat layer, thereby exposing an underlying peat layer, can improve conditions for rich fen restoration. We studied the long-term (3-18 years) effects of past topsoil removal in six rich fens in Western Europe by comparing topsoil removal plots with (untouched) control plots. Overall, topsoil removal plots were characterized by lower bulk densities and soil nutrient pools of P and KCl-extractable NH 4 + , while organic matter contents and soil C:N ratios were higher. Pore water concentrations of NO 3 À and NH 4 + also decreased in the topsoil removal plots, while concentrations of base cations (Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , Na + , K + ) and HCO 3 À increased.Furthermore, lower nutrient levels appeared to restrict herb biomass production in the topsoil removal plots, so that optimized light conditions led to the establishment of light-demanding target species and a significant increase in bryophyte cover. Multivariate analysis revealed that most variation in vegetation assembly was due to higher groundwater levels in the topsoil removal plots, closely followed by a higher relative light intensity (RLI) at surface level, lower pore water nutrient (NH 4 + ) concentrations, and higher concentrations of base cations. We conclude that topsoil removal can be an effective mechanism to "reset" a degraded peatland to its initial state of nutrient limitation, base saturation and high availability of light, thereby improving the conservation prospects of endangered rich fen communities.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Topsoil removal in degraded rich fens: Can we force an ecosystem reset?

Emsens

Aggenbach

Smolders

et al. 2015

Ecological Engineering

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show abstract

“…W przypadku kszta³to-wania w³aoeciwooeci gleb pobagiennych na osadach wê-glanowych istotnym czynnikiem jest tak¿e g³êbokooeae uprawy (Meller 2006). Obni¿enie poziomu wód gruntowych na obszarze wystêpowania gleb organicznych oraz uprawa p³u¿na prowadzi do przyspieszenia mineralizacji Corg oraz strat azotu (Piaoecik i Gotkiewicz 2004, Cabezas et al 2012, Brouns et al 2014. Poziomy powierzchniowe badanych gleb pojeziornych wykazywa³y odczyn zasadowy (tab.…”

Section: Materia£ I Metody Badañunclassified

Characterization of some physical and chemical properties of post-bog soils developed from limnic deposits in vicinity of lake Dubie (Western Pomerania, NW Poland)

Jarnuszewski¹

2016

Soil Science Annual

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Post-bog soils developed from limnic calcareous sediments are closely related to a young-glacial landscape and postglacial lakes in Northern Poland. The studies conducted in 2010-2012 on post-bog soils near lake Dubie (Równina Drawska, NW Poland), partially used as an arable land. The goal of research was to characterise some chemical and physical properties of post-bog soils developed from carbonate deposits near lake Dubie. The soils of the analysed area developed from lacustrine chalk and calcareous gyttja belong to black earth and mucky soils. Organic matter content in surface horizons ranged from 5.0 to14.2%, content of CaCO 3 from 27.2 to 55.2%, the highest carbonate content was found in arable soil. The soils of the study area were characterised by a narrow C/N ratio, low level of total form of P and a high content of Ca. Specific density of surface horizons was in the range 2.49 to 2.58 Mg⋅m -3 , bulk density from 0.445 to 1.212 Mg⋅m -3 . High porosity was also found in the examined formations, from 0.826 in surface horizons and 0.700 m 3 ⋅m -3 in limnic deposits.

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Drivers of landscape evolution: multiple regimes and their influence on carbon sequestration in a sub‐tropical peatland

Newman

Osborne

Hagerthey

et al. 2017

Ecological Monographs

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Typically, restoration goals target a point in history, i.e., the pre‐human‐influence state, however, ecosystems are dynamic and restoration goals must consider the potential evolution of the system, along with primary causes of landscape degradation and the resultant resilience. Using the Everglades as a case study, known disturbances were linked to biogeochemical and vegetation patterns to compare the divergence of the anthropogenically impacted landscape from that expected during natural peatland evolution. Specifically, landscape soil biogeochemistry of ~1,100 sites was examined in context of hydroperiod, spatial and temporal trends in water quality from the 1940s through present, elevation, and vegetation communities. This provided a link between carbon (C) accumulation and the influence of anthropogenic alterations. The network of canals created to manage water resulted in a greater ratio of surface water to rainfall contribution to the water budget, restored connectivity of groundwater to surface water, and facilitated overdrainage and mineral and nutrient enrichment of the ecosystem, causing multiple regime shifts and evidence of C loss. This study suggests that restoration can promote the accumulation of minerotrophic peats, but it is difficult to recreate the trajectory towards the ombrotrophic peatland, one of the end members and most C rich portions of the ecosystem, given changes in source waters and connectivity. In addition, a comparison with the literature and paleoecological data confirmed that while phosphorus (P) and C accumulation are positively related, even relatively small increases in P content reduced the proportional C content of peat soils. Overall, this study highlights the need to consider the potential natural trajectories of landscape development, the multiple coexisting resultant regimes, and the importance of soil biogeochemical properties when establishing and prioritizing restoration goals. Given the resilience and feedback loops of the anthropogenically impacted areas, active management of these areas may be necessary if we are to restore the vegetation community composition and biogeochemical characteristics to those of natural regimes, however, some legacy effects will constrain future restoration efforts.

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Short period of oxygenation releases latch on peat decomposition

Cited by 53 publications

References 52 publications

Topsoil removal in degraded rich fens: Can we force an ecosystem reset?

Topsoil removal in degraded rich fens: Can we force an ecosystem reset?

Characterization of some physical and chemical properties of post-bog soils developed from limnic deposits in vicinity of lake Dubie (Western Pomerania, NW Poland)

Drivers of landscape evolution: multiple regimes and their influence on carbon sequestration in a sub‐tropical peatland

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