Change of soil hydrological properties of fens as a result of soil development

Schindler, Uwe; Behrendt, Axel; Müller, Lothar

doi:10.1002/jpln.200390055

Cited by 36 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…The calculated macroporosity of peat soils (BD > 0.2 g cm −3 ) ranged from 0.01 to 0.16 cm 3 cm −3 , which is comparable with values reported in a previous study based on an investigation of hydraulic properties of fen peat from 30 soil profiles (Wallor et al, ). In a few studies, macroporosity initially decreased with peat degradation (BD increasing from 0.15 to 0.27 g cm −3 ) and then increased with further peat degradation (BD > 0.27 g cm −3 ; Schindler et al, ; Wallor et al, ). That pattern was not confirmed by the database of this study.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Hydraulic properties of peat soils along a bulk density gradient—A meta study

Liu

Lennartz

2018

Hydrological Processes

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Our understanding of hydraulic properties of peat soils is limited compared with that of mineral substrates. In this study, we aimed to deduce possible alterations of hydraulic properties of peat soils following degradation resulting from peat drainage and aeration. A data set of peat hydraulic properties (188 soil water retention curves [SWRCs], 71 unsaturated hydraulic conductivity curves [UHCs], and 256 saturated hydraulic conductivity [Ks] values) was assembled from the literature; the obtained data originated from peat samples with an organic matter (OM) content ranging from 23 to 97 wt% (weight percent; and according variation in bulk density) representing various degrees of peat degradation. The Mualem‐van Genuchten model was employed to describe the SWRCs and UHCs. The results show that the hydraulic parameters of peat soils vary over a wide range confirming the pronounced diversity of peat. Peat decomposition significantly modifies all hydraulic parameters. A bulk density of approximately 0.2 g cm−3 was identified as a critical threshold point; above and below this value, macroporosity and hydraulic parameters follow different functions with bulk density. Pedotransfer functions based on physical peat properties (e.g., bulk density and soil depth) separately computed for bog and fen peat have significantly lower mean square errors than functions obtained from the complete data set, which indicates that not only the status of peat decomposition but also the peat‐forming plants have a large effect on hydraulic properties. The SWRCs of samples with a bulk density of less than 0.2 g cm−3 could be grouped into two to five classes for each peat type (botanical composition). The remaining SWRCs originating from samples with a bulk density of larger than 0.2 g cm−3 could be classified into one group. The Mualem‐van Genuchten parameter values of α can be used to estimate Ks if no Ks data are available. In conclusion, the derived pedotransfer functions provide a solid instrument to derive hydraulic parameter values from easily measurable quantities; however, additional research is required to reduce uncertainty.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Hydraulic properties of peat soils along a bulk density gradient—A meta study

Liu

Lennartz

2018

Hydrological Processes

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“…Capillary water on peat column with surface area of 254.34 cm 2 rose up to 40-50 cm layer on GWL-1 and GWL-2, but on GWL-3 it reached only 30-40 cm layer because the maximum height of GWL-3 was 40 cm. Schindler et al (2003) and Schwärzel et al (2006) stated that capillary water could reach the root zone in a subtropical peatland drained up to 70 cm dept with the reed canary grass cover crop. Smaller pore tended to make stronger capillary rise (Lu and Likos 2004;Chesworth 2008;McCarter 2012).…”

Section: Changes In Peat Colormentioning

confidence: 99%

Capillary Water Rise in Peat Soil as Affected by Various Groundwater Levels

Nugraha

Annisa

Syaufina

et al. 2017

Indones. J. Agric. Sci.

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Capillary water in peatlands has a very important role in supplying water to the root zone of plants. The current water content in the root zone depends mainly on groundwater levels in some areas with shallow water levels. The study aimed to measure the capillary water dynamics in peat soils at various soil densities and groundwater levels which were observed from the changes in peat color, moisture distribution, water content and hydrophobicity of peat soil. The study was conducted in the greenhouse of Indonesian Swampland Agricultural Research Institute, Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design with two factors and three replications. The first factor was the bulk density (BD) of peat, namely BD-1 (on actual condition, 0.1 g cm -3 ) and BD-2 (compressed into 0.2 g cm -3 ). The second factor was simulated groundwater levels (GWL) consisting of GWL-1 (-100 cm), GWL-2 (-70 cm) and GWL-3 (-40 cm) from soil surfaces. The results showed that the rise of capillary water in peat soil reached a maximum height of 50 cm which was characterized by the increase in water content at the top layer in the range of 105-127% for BD-1 and 141-181% for BD-2. The highest value of water content (308%) was achieved in the treatment of GWL-3 with BD-2 and the lowest (37%) was in the treatment of GWL-1 with BD-1. The rate of capillary water rose progressively corresponded to the increase in BD value because the number of micropores of BD-2 was greater.

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“…At present, more than 95% of fen areas are drained or have suffered from lowered ground water tables within their catchment. An obvious consequence has been the degradation and shrinkage of peat (Pfadenhauer and Klötzli 1996;Schindler et al 2003). Furthermore, the change from anoxic to D.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…It can be assumed that the extent of peat mineralisation during drainage and varying geochemical conditions are decisive for the intensity of mobilisation processes after rewetting. Since upper peat horizons are most strongly affected by peat degradation, a characteristic vertical gradient from highly to slightly decomposed peat is formed in drained fens (Stegmann and Zeitz 2001;Schlichting et al 2002;Schindler et al 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The mobilisation of phosphorus, organic carbon and ammonium in the initial stage of fen rewetting (a case study from NE Germany)

2007

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Currently, more than 10,000 ha of fens have been rewetted to re-establish their function as nutrient sinks in NE Germany. However, field investigations reveal that porewater concentrations of P, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and ammonium in rewetted fens are orders of magnitude larger than under pristine conditions. Hence, the objective of this study was to investigate the reasons behind enhanced P, organic carbon (OC) and ammonium mobilisation due to rewetting by means of a long-term incubation experiment. Highly, moderately and slightly decomposed peat of a drained fen (polder Zarnekow) was incubated under waterlogged conditions. A time course of concentrations of P, DOC, ammonium, sulphate and other dissolved substances was investigated by means of permanently installed dialysis samplers during 54 weeks of incubation. Simultaneously, the concentrations of these dissolved substances were investigated after rewetting of the field site. Before, and at the end of the incubation study, the amounts of bicarbonate-dithionite (BD) and NaOH soluble P and OC of incubated peat samples were determined by a sequential extraction procedure. The highest mobilisation of P, OC and ammonium occurred in the highly decomposed peat. Final concentrations of P, DOC and ammonium reached about 143 mM, 46 and 1.9 mM, respectively. The initial sulphate concentrations in the rewetting experiment, as well as in the field investigations, were extremely high and ranged between 3 and 13 mM; however, a complete consumption of sulphate was only observed in highly decomposed peat. In conclusion, the reasons for enhanced P, OC and ammonium mobilisation are increased amounts of redox sensitive substances and enhanced availability of decomposable organic matter in the upper highly decomposed peat horizon. These results should be considered in future rewetting management strategies.

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Change of soil hydrological properties of fens as a result of soil development

Cited by 36 publications

References 10 publications

Hydraulic properties of peat soils along a bulk density gradient—A meta study

Hydraulic properties of peat soils along a bulk density gradient—A meta study

Capillary Water Rise in Peat Soil as Affected by Various Groundwater Levels

The mobilisation of phosphorus, organic carbon and ammonium in the initial stage of fen rewetting (a case study from NE Germany)

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