Abstract
Restoration of wetlands is a high priority world-wide. Peat extraction areas can be restored by rewetting, however affecting the environment. It could be expected to turn the drained peat-cutover area from a source to a sink of most elements. This study examined effects of such rewetting on peat, hydrology and water chemistry over 15 years at two sites in Sweden; the nutrient-poor Porla peatland and the nutrient-rich Västkärr peatland. Rewetting caused minor changes to peat chemistry, but at the Västkärr site ammonium concentrations increased in superficial peat layers while nitrate decreased. In terms of hydrology, rewetting of the Porla site decreased annual runoff and both high and low discharges. Water pH at the Porla site stayed fairly stable, but at the Västkärr site pH, after an initial 4 years dip, gradually increased to higher values than before rewetting. Water colour and organic matter content were fairly stable, but slightly lower values were found after 15 years than in initial 4–5 years. The concentrations of base cations and of inorganic N were lower after rewetting, while total P was higher. However, these impacts could change from an initial phase as the wetlands in the long-term perspective develop into mires.
Highlights
Four million km2 of the Earth’s surface are covered with peatlands, and peatlands are found in almost every country of the world (Schumann and Joosten 2008)
This study primarily examined the impacts of peatland rewetting on properties of the peat, hydrology and water chemical conditions
4 ± 0 bc 20 ± 1 a Natural mires are totally altered after peat extraction, which turns the mire into a drained peatland
Summary
Four million km of the Earth’s surface (circa 3% of the land area) are covered with peatlands, and peatlands are found in almost every country of the world (Schumann and Joosten 2008). It is especially abundant in vast areas of North Europe and Canada. The peatlands and peat resource is considered a societal asset and is used in agriculture, forestry, horticulture and as an energy source. These uses have resulted in numerous remnants of damaged mires, for which restoration is a high concern. In 1998, a new environmental law was established in Sweden, giving increased support for restoration
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
