Abstract
Rewetted extracted peatlands are sensitive ecosystems and they can act as greenhouse gas (GHG) sinks or sources due to changes in hydrology, vegetation, and weather conditions. However, studies on GHG emissions from extracted peatlands after rewetting are limited. Methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emission fluxes were determined using the opaque closed chamber method along water level gradients from littoral zones to the open water body of constructed shallow lakes with different vegetation zones in a nutrient-rich rewetted extracted peatland in Sweden. Vegetation communities and their position relative to water level, together with short-term water level fluctuations, such as inundation events and seasonal droughts, and temperature had a significant impact on CH4 emissions fluxes. During “normal” and “dry” conditions and high soil temperatures, CH4 emissions were highest from Carex spp.-Typha latifolia L. communities. During inundation events with water levels > 30 cm, sites with flooded Graminoids-Scirpus spp.-Carex spp. emitted most CH4. Methane emissions from the water body of the constructed shallow lakes were low during all water level conditions and over the temperature ranges observed. Nitrous oxide emissions contributed little to the emission fluxes from the soil-plant-water systems to the atmosphere, and they were only detectable from the sites with Graminoids. In terms of management, the construction of shallow lakes showed great potential for lowering GHG emission fluxes from nutrient rich peatlands after peat extraction, even though the vegetated shore emitted some N2O and CH4.
Highlights
Boreal and subarctic peatlands cover considerable areas in the northern hemisphere [1].Peat extraction for horticultural purposes and energy production has a long tradition in NorthernEurope and can typically be performed on a peatland for up to 40 years [2].According to the Swedish law, remediation of the site is required after the peat has been extracted.Productive forestry and agriculture are two possible after-uses but for those measures drainage is required, which would cause decomposition of the remaining peat and continuing emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2 )
The lagg area of the bog had been drained for hay production and cereal cultivation since the 19th century
Even though though the the study site is a fen fen type type peatland peatland being fertilised due to its agricultural use prior peat extraction, detectable nitrous oxide (N2 O) emissions emissions were only found in vegetation communities communities on the non-inundated non-inundated shore
Summary
Boreal and subarctic peatlands cover considerable areas in the northern hemisphere [1].Peat extraction for horticultural purposes and energy production has a long tradition in NorthernEurope and can typically be performed on a peatland for up to 40 years [2].According to the Swedish law, remediation of the site is required after the peat has been extracted.Productive forestry and agriculture are two possible after-uses but for those measures drainage is required, which would cause decomposition of the remaining peat and continuing emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2 ). Boreal and subarctic peatlands cover considerable areas in the northern hemisphere [1]. Peat extraction for horticultural purposes and energy production has a long tradition in Northern. Europe and can typically be performed on a peatland for up to 40 years [2]. According to the Swedish law, remediation of the site is required after the peat has been extracted. Productive forestry and agriculture are two possible after-uses but for those measures drainage is required, which would cause decomposition of the remaining peat and continuing emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2 ). For nutrient-rich sites, nitrous oxide (N2 O) can be a significant source of greenhouse gases (GHG) [3].
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