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

Bārdule, Arta; Butlers, Aldis; Spalva, Gints; Ivanovs, Jānis; Melniks, Raitis; Līcīte, Ieva; Lazdiņš, Andis

doi:10.3390/w15101954

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 42 publications

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“…For natural reference and drained peatlands the following literature sources served as the basis of this figure: Abdalla et al 2016 ; Aitova et al 2023 ; Bardule et al 2023 ; Bianchi et al 2021 ; Bieniada & Strack 2021 ; Brummell et al 2017 ; Burdun et al 2021 ; Busman et al 2023 ; Clement et al 2020 ; Couwenberg et al 2010 ; Daun et al 2023 ; Frolking et al 2011 ; Griffis et al 2020 ; Günther et al 2020 ; Hergoualc’h and Verschot 2014 ; Hyvönen et al 2009 ; Inubushi et al 2003 ; Järveoja et al 2016a , b ; Jauhiainen et al 2008 , 2012 , 2019 , 2023 ; Jordan et al 2020 ; Kandel et al 2020 ; Kull 2016 ; Maddison et al 2016 ; Mander et al 2008 , 2012 , 2016 ; Melling et al 2007 ; Nugent et al 2018 ; Oestmann et al 2022 ; Oktarita et al 2017 ; Pärn et al 2023 ; Petrescu et al 2015 ; Rosset et al 2022 ; Sakata et al 2015 ; Salm et al 2012 ; Sjögestren et al 2011 ; Takakai et al 2006 ; Tang et al 2018 ; Toma et al 2011 ; Truu et al 2020 ; Turetsky et al 2014 ; Veber et al 2021 , 202X; Wilson et al 2016a , b ; Wong et al 2018 .…”

Section: Resultsunclassified

Peatland restoration pathways to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and retain peat carbon

Mander,

Espenberg,

Melling

et al. 2023

Biogeochemistry

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Peatlands play a crucial role in the global carbon (C) cycle, making their restoration a key strategy for mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and retaining C. This study analyses the most common restoration pathways employed in boreal and temperate peatlands, potentially applicable in tropical peat swamp forests. Our analysis focuses on the GHG emissions and C retention potential of the restoration measures. To assess the C stock change in restored (rewetted) peatlands and afforested peatlands with continuous drainage, we adopt a conceptual approach that considers short-term C capture (GHG exchange between the atmosphere and the peatland ecosystem) and long-term C sequestration in peat. The primary criterion of our conceptual model is the capacity of restoration measures to capture C and reduce GHG emissions. Our findings indicate that carbon dioxide (CO2) is the most influential part of long-term climate impact of restored peatlands, whereas moderate methane (CH4) emissions and low N2O fluxes are relatively unimportant. However, lateral losses of dissolved and particulate C in water can account up to a half of the total C stock change. Among the restored peatland types, Sphagnum paludiculture showed the highest CO2 capture, followed by shallow lakes and reed/grass paludiculture. Shallow lakeshore vegetation in restored peatlands can reduce CO2 emissions and sequester C but still emit CH4, particularly during the first 20 years after restoration. Our conceptual modelling approach reveals that over a 300-year period, under stable climate conditions, drained bog forests can lose up to 50% of initial C content. In managed (regularly harvested) and continuously drained peatland forests, C accumulation in biomass and litter input does not compensate C losses from peat. In contrast, rewetted unmanaged peatland forests are turning into a persistent C sink. The modelling results emphasized the importance of long-term C balance analysis which considers soil C accumulation, moving beyond the short-term C cycling between vegetation and the atmosphere.

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