Biogeochemistry and Peat Properties of Restored Wetlands

Abstract

<p>The major objective behind peatland restoration is to improve ecosystem services, such as increased biodiversity, increased carbon sequestration, increased groundwater storage, and improved surface water quality. However, a century or more of drained conditions has drastically changed the soil properties in relation to natural wetlands and this is likely to profoundly influence the potential for various biogeochemical peat processes. Thus, peatland restoration may result in undesired impacts and potential environmental threats. Two such undesired effects are increased methane production and increased mercury methylation.</p> <p>In this study, we investigated how nine boreal peatlands across a latitudinal gradient in Sweden have been affected by rewetting after up to a century of drained conditions. Each peatland was sampled for three 50 cm deep peat cores that were analyzed for carbon, nitrogen, δ<sup>13</sup>C, δ<sup>15</sup>N, bulk density, and organic matter proportion. Adjacent to each restored peatland, we sampled a corresponding pristine (natural) peatland to facilitate a comparison of how the peat properties have been affected by drainage and subsequent rewetting of the peatlands. Groundwater depth was monitored at all peatland locations to confirm restored conditions at the rewetted peatlands.</p> <p>The results indicate that a long period of drained conditions and subsequent rewetting have changed the peat properties, with differences shown in C/N ratio, dry bulk density, and organic matter content. Rewetting will thus not regenerate a pristine environment. Instead, it creates new conditions to which various biogeochemical processes will respond and these do not necessarily represent conditions prior to disturbance. Our study will provide background information to understand the biogeochemical dynamics in peatlands after restoration, especially since the study covers a large span of nutrient conditions and catchment settings. This understanding will be fundamental for the development of strategies to minimize undesired biogeochemical responses following peatland restoration.</p> <p> </p> <p>Presentation preference: Oral, virtually</p> <p>Billing address:</p> <p>SLU Fakturamottagning</p> <p>Box 7090</p> <p>750 07 Uppsala</p> <p>Referens: 241MOT </p> <p> </p>