Subsidence of an Organic Soil in Southwestern Quebec

Millette, J. A.

doi:10.4141/cjss76-058

Cited by 14 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 3 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Although drained peatland seems to be an ideal substrate for intensive agriculture, principally for high-value crops, drainage has been found to initiate soil degradation processes. Subsidence, soil erosion, and soil organic matter mineralization in drained peatlands are estimated to causes losses of 1.0 to 7.9 cm of soil per year [5,[8][9][10][11][12][13]. This degradation also has a significant impact on organic matter quality and Nitrogen 2022, 3 427 nutrient cycling, as shown by Morris & Gilbert [14] and Snyder [15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Plant-Based Amendments on Water-Soluble Nitrogen Release Dynamics in Cultivated Peatlands

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Drained cultivated peatlands have been an essential agricultural resource for many years. To slow and reduce the degradation of these soils, which increases with drainage, the use of plant-based amendments (straw, wood chips, and biochar) has been proposed. Literature on the effects of such amendments in cultivated peatlands is scarce, and questions have been raised regarding the impact of this practice on nutrient cycling, particularly nitrogen (N) dynamics. By means of a six-month incubation experiment, this study assessed the effects of four plant-based amendments (biochar, a forest mix, willow, and miscanthus) on the release kinetics of water-soluble N pools (mineral and organic) in two histosols of differing degrees of decomposition (Haplosaprist and Haplohemist). The amendment rate was set at 15 Mg ha−1 on a dry weight basis. The N release kinetics were significantly impacted by soil type and amendment. Miscanthus and willow were the amendments that most reduced the release of soluble organic N (SON) and mineral N (minN). The addition of plant-based amendments reduced the total amount of released N pools during the incubation (cumulative N pools) by 50.3 to 355.2 mg kg−1, depending on the soil type, the N pool, and the type of amendment. A significant relationship was found between microbial biomass N, urease activity, and the cumulative N at the end of the incubation. The results showed that the input of plant-based amendments in cultivated peatland decreases N release, which could have a beneficial impact by decreasing N leaching; however, it could also restrict crop growth. Further research is needed to fully assess the impact of such amendments used in cultivated peatlands on N and on C fluxes at the soil–plant and soil–atmosphere interfaces to determine if they constitute a long-term solution for more sustainable agriculture.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Plant-Based Amendments on Water-Soluble Nitrogen Release Dynamics in Cultivated Peatlands

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…After drainage has ceased, subsidence of these peatlands continues (e.g. Mirza and Irwin 1964;Millette 1976;Irwin 1977;Schothorst 1977;Parent et al 1982;McLay et al 1992;Price and Schlotzhauer 1999;McNeil et al 2000). This long-term subsidence is usually attributed to shrinkage, compression and biochemical oxidation of the peat (Schothorst 1977).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Wind erosion and surface stability in abandoned milled peatlands

Campbell¹,

Lavoie²,

Rochefort³

2002

Can. J. Soil. Sci.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

L. 2002. Wind erosion and surface stability in abandoned milled peatlands. Can. J. Soil Sci. 82: 85-95. Peatlands exploited for their peat by the method of milling are poorly recolonized by plants after the cessation of extraction activities, in part due to unstable peat substrates. Wind erosion has been suspected to play a role in this instability. Four studies were conducted to investigate the role of wind erosion on abandoned milled peatlands. A wind tunnel experiment was performed to evaluate the erodibility of dry, loose peat as a function of its degree of decomposition. A second wind tunnel experiment was conducted to determine how crusted peats differ in their resistance to erosion as a function of their degree of decomposition, without the input of abraders. Third, wind profiles were measured in milled, revegetated and natural peatlands in southeastern Québec to determine their aerodynamic roughness length. Finally, field measurements were made at three abandoned milled peatlands through two field seasons to characterize substrate stability and particle movement. In the wind tunnel, the erodibility of loose surface peat decreased with increasing decomposition and was predicted by their equivalent diameter to mineral particles 0.84 mm in diameter. However, once surface crusts formed, peats were all resistant to erosion. Surfaces of abandoned milled peatlands were aerodynamically smooth; therefore, exposed surface elements are subject to strong erosive forces during wind events. The greatest subsidence on abandoned milled peatlands occurred in the spring, prior to the surface movement of particles. Erosion during the summer could not be clearly detected. The instability of the peat surface remains a constraint for the restoration of abandoned milled surfaces.Key words: Peat, cutover peatland, wind erosion, soil crusts, roughness length, soil stability Campbell, D. R., Lavoie, C. et Rochefort, L. 2002. Érosion éolienne et stabilité de la surface dans les anciennes tourbières commerciales. Can. J. Soil Sci. 82: 85-95. Les plantes recolonisent mal les tourbières dont on a récolté la tourbe une fois que les activités commerciales ont cessé, en partie à cause de l'instabilité du substrat. On soupçonne que l'érosion éolienne joue un rôle dans cette instabilité. Les auteurs ont entrepris quatre études dans l'espoir d'élucider le rôle de l'érosion éolienne dans les tourbières commerciales laissées à l'abandon. Une expérience en soufflerie a permis d'évaluer l'érodabilité de la tourbe sèche et lâche d'après son degré de décomposition. Un deuxième essai en soufflerie a contribué à déterminer de quelle façon la résistance des tourbes encroûtées à l'érosion varie avec le degré de décomposition, en l'absence d'abrasifs. Dans le cadre de la troisième étude, on a établi le profil des vents dans les tourbières exploitées, remises en végétation et naturelles du sud-est du Québec afin de préciser le paramètre de rugosité aérodynamique. Enfin, les auteurs ont pris des relevés sur le terrain dans trois tourbières commerciale...

show abstract

“…within 70 km of Montreal, of which half are less than 120 cm in depth. Subsidence of a drained, organic soil in Quebec has been estimated as 2.1 -r 0.4 cm/yr (Millette 1976) over a period of 38 yr. This is about Table 3.…”

Section: Continuous Row-cropping and Soil Productivitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Long-Term Effects of Cultivation and Land Use on Soil Quality in Quebec

Martel¹,

MacKenzie²

1980

Can. J. Soil. Sci.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The purpose of this work is to assess the effects of different land-use practices on the quality of agricultural soils in Quebec. Studies done on three dairy farms, using the traditional rotation of 1 yr of cereals and 4 yr of hay, showed that the conversion of forest soils into agricultural soils caused a drop in nitrogen of 8% for a clay loam soil, but 21 and 31% for the sandy and silty loam soils, while the loss of organic matter was near 33% for the three soils. The decrease in water-stable aggregate was 84% on the clay loam soil and 50% on the two lighter soils. Work done on continuous meadows of 5 yr or longer showed significant increases in organic matter content and water-aggregate stability. Conversion from typical dairy-farm rotations to continuous corn and cereal rotations reduced structural stability and soil organic matter, as well as soil productivity, even when nutrient levels were improved by use of fertilizers. Other preliminary data indicate that soil compaction by heavy farm machinery, and drainage of organic soils may further reduce soil quality.

show abstract

Subsidence of an Organic Soil in Southwestern Quebec

Abstract: not available

Cited by 14 publications

References 3 publications

Impact of Plant-Based Amendments on Water-Soluble Nitrogen Release Dynamics in Cultivated Peatlands

Impact of Plant-Based Amendments on Water-Soluble Nitrogen Release Dynamics in Cultivated Peatlands

Wind erosion and surface stability in abandoned milled peatlands

Long-Term Effects of Cultivation and Land Use on Soil Quality in Quebec

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About