After-use of peat extraction sites – A systematic review of biodiversity, climate, hydrological and social impacts

Räsänen, Aleksi; Albrecht, Eerika; Annala, Mari; Aro, Lasse; Laine, Anna; Maanavilja, Liisa; Mustajoki, Jyri; Ronkanen, Anna‐Kaisa; Silvan, Niko; Tarvainen, Oili; Tolvanen, Anne

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163583

Cited by 10 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 126 publications

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“…For instance, full life cycle assessment studies suggest that paludiculture products could store carbon and substitute emission-intensive goods [34]. Furthermore, a thorough peer-review study analyzed the after-use of 356 peatlands [35] and found that extracted peatlands lack full socio-ecological, climate, and economic potential.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Paludiculture in Latvia—Existing Knowledge and Challenges

Ozola,

Dauskane,

Aunina

et al. 2023

Land

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Global climate change impact has increased in recent decades and put urgency on implementing effective climate change mitigation (CCM) activities. Rewetting of drained peatlands is an acknowledged measure to reduce GHG emissions from organic soils in the agriculture and land use sectors. Under waterlogged conditions, decomposition of organic matter in peat decreases, and emissions of CO2 are reduced. Thus, the soil carbon stock is saved, and wet management of the site reactivates carbon sequestration. To reach CCM targets, the first rewetting and paludiculture trials have been implemented in Latvia. In this article, we review the current status of paludiculture in Latvia and evaluate the pros and cons of their wider implementation. The majority of paludiculture projects and pilot studies in Latvia have not been published so far and are reported here for the first time. Our assessment of paludiculture shows that trails on Alnus, Phalaris, Phragmites, Sphagnum, and Typha installed by the private enterprises have promising results for upcoming large-scale implementation. There are available areas for paludiculture in Latvia, but the current legislation and national framework policies (environment, agriculture, forest, and climate) do not fully support such activities yet and must be adapted.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Paludiculture in Latvia—Existing Knowledge and Challenges

Ozola,

Dauskane,

Aunina

et al. 2023

Land

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“…To reduce peat emissions in Europe, effective restoration measures and, together with scientists and industry representatives, investigating how peat is a valuable resource for producing higher-added-value materials and products are needed. Storing carbon in products reduces emissions from peatlands [12,67,95,125].…”

Section: Peat Processing Technologies and Peat Applicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pros and Cons of Strategies to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Peatlands: Review of Possibilities

Balode,

Bumbiere,

Sosars

et al. 2024

Applied Sciences

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Peatlands can become valuable resources and greenhouse gas sinks through the use of different management practices. Peatlands provide carbon sequestration; however, they are also among the greatest greenhouse gas emissions sources. The estimated annual carbon dioxide equivalent emissions from peat worldwide are 220 million tons. Novel strategies, methods, and technologies must be developed to enhance the sustainable use of peatlands and achieve climate targets by 2050, as set forth by the European Commission. There is no consensus in the scientific literature on which strategies included in the policy documents are more fruitful for reducing emissions. There are uncertainties and knowledge gaps in the literature that summarise the cons and benefits of each strategy regarding the potential of GHG emission reduction. Currently, peat is undervalued as a resource in the bioeconomy and innovation—a way that could save costs in peatland management. This review paper aims to analyse existing and potential strategies to minimise greenhouse gas emissions from peatlands. Studies show significant debates in the literature on whether the rewetting of peatlands and afforestation of previously drained peatlands can be defined as restoration. A more effective management of peatland restoration should involve combining restoration methods. The rewetting of peatlands should be realised in combination with top-soil removal to minimise methane emissions. The rewetting of peatlands should be used only in combination with revegetation after rewetting. One of the promising solutions for methane emission reduction could be paludiculture using sphagnum species. Products from paludiculture biomass can reduce GHG emissions and store long-term emissions in products. Paludiculture can also be the solution for further income for landowners and innovative products using the biomass of harvested paludiculture plants.

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“…The extensive use of peat for horticulture and the subsequent depletion of peatlands has led to growing environmental concerns about peat extraction [9]. For this reason, the search for sustainable substitutes that can totally or partially replace peat, a non-renewable resource, has become increasingly important.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Compost from Cardoon Biomass, as Partial Replacement of Peat, on the Production and Quality of Baby Leaf Lettuce

Sicignano,

del Piano,

Morra

et al. 2024

Applied Sciences

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The use of peat, the standard substrate used for soilless cultivation of horticultural crops, is becoming of increasing concern as peat is a non-renewable resource and its extraction can degrade wetland ecosystems, creating a strong environmental impact. For this reason, the search for organic materials that can totally or partially replace peat has become increasingly important. In this research, three types of composts (C1, C2, C3), derived from cardoon biomass mixed in different volumes with woody and/or fruit wastes, were utilized as the constituents of growing media, at two dilution rates with peat (60:40 and 30:70 v:v), to assess their effect on the growth and quality of baby leaf lettuce in a greenhouse trial. The two cultivars Imperiale and Verde d’Inverno, belonging to the butterhead and romaine lettuce types, respectively, were employed. Plant performance and yield were unaffected or were positively affected by compost-containing growing medium compared to the control. The cultivars responded differently to the growing medium; the Imperiale showed the highest yield with C1 compost at a 60% rate while the Verde d’Inverno with the C2 was at 30%. The total chlorophyll, carotenoids, and ascorbic acid were found higher in the Verde d’Inverno than in the Imperiale variety while the total polyphenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity were lower. Also, the content of chlorophylls as well as of antioxidant compounds and antioxidant activity were differently affected by the growing medium, depending on the lettuce cultivar. The results obtained indicate that cultivated cardoon waste-based compost is a promising constituent of the growing media for baby leaf production. The specific varietal response observed should be considered to optimize both yield and product quality.

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After-use of peat extraction sites – A systematic review of biodiversity, climate, hydrological and social impacts

Cited by 10 publications

References 126 publications

Paludiculture in Latvia—Existing Knowledge and Challenges

Paludiculture in Latvia—Existing Knowledge and Challenges

Pros and Cons of Strategies to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Peatlands: Review of Possibilities

Effect of Compost from Cardoon Biomass, as Partial Replacement of Peat, on the Production and Quality of Baby Leaf Lettuce

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