The effect of different treatments of moss layer transfer technique on plant functional types' biomass in revegetated milled peatlands

Abstract

The number and the area of former milled peatlands under restoration have increased rapidly in the Northern Hemisphere in recent decades with the primary aim of promoting peat accumulation. However, the application of similar restoration techniques across different sites does not always lead to desired results, and some site‐specific modifications may be needed. This study aimed to evaluate the response of aboveground plant biomass on three experimental sites in northern Estonia to different restoration techniques in degraded peatlands. The sites were restored using the moss layer transfer technique, which was modified with different plant spreading rates and species composition of spread material, fertilization, and creating variations in microtopography. The strongest effect of manipulations was found for bryophyte biomass responses to treatments. The creation of a microtopographic relief during the site preparation phase favored the development of Sphagnum biomass in depressions rather than in positive microforms. The species composition of the spreading material had some effect on bryophyte biomass: Sphagnum biomass was higher where hummock species had been spread. We did not find any statistical difference in the ratio of Sphagnum reintroduction tested ranging from 1:10 to 1:15.