Peat Meadow Research Articles

Comparison of metrics to reveal the role of soil fauna in soil health assessment in peat meadow restoration

AbstractUnderstanding the nuances of soil health is more important than ever to improve the quality and sustainability of agroecosystems. However, it is poorly understood how the variety of metrics currently in use to evaluate soil health relate to each other, and in what situations their use is not sensitive enough to indicate environmental changes. The use of faunal co‐occurrence networks is a novel, potentially valuable tool that has hitherto received little attention in the context of soil health. Here, we used a meadow land‐use intensity gradient to compare the response of a number of soil community metrics, including chemical and ecological indicators as well as faunal co‐occurrence network parameters. Our findings indicate that the examined metrics displayed distinct, often contrasting patterns to one another, and that network analysis detected patterns that strongly aligned with the land‐use effects. This pattern was qualitatively different from patterns arising from traditionally used metrics. The soils with conventional farming, that is, the least regenerative land‐use, generally scored well in traditionally used metrics, including C:N ratio, faunal abundance and the ratio of Acari to Collembola. Regenerative farming was comparable with conventional farming in all conventional metrics—however, network analysis revealed that the soil faunal communities under regenerative farming had the highest species connectivity out of all research areas potentially due to grazing increasing the connectivity of faunal networks. Overall, these results suggest that network analyses are best suited to capture subtle land‐use intensity differences while traditional metrics performed well in big changes. While more research is needed to better interpret soil faunal co‐occurrence networks, our findings imply that it could be a useful method to provide further insight in aspects of soil health.

A case study on topsoil removal and rewetting for paludiculture: effect on biogeochemistry and greenhouse gas emissions from Typha latifolia, Typha angustifolia, and Azolla filiculoides

Abstract. Rewetting drained peatlands for paludiculture purposes is a way to reduce peat oxidation (and thus CO2 emissions) while at the same time it could generate an income for landowners, who need to convert their traditional farming into wetland farming. The side effect of rewetting drained peatlands is that it potentially induces high methane (CH4) emissions. Topsoil removal could reduce this emission due to the removal of easily degradable carbon and nutrients. Another way to limit CH4 emissions is the choice in paludiculture species. In this study we conducted a field experiment in the coastal area of the Netherlands, in which a former non-intensively used drained peat grassland is rewetted to complete inundation (water table ∼ +18 cm) after a topsoil removal of ∼ 20 cm. Two emergent macrophytes with high potential of internal gas transport (Typha latifolia and Typha angustifolia), and a free floating macrophyte (Azolla filiculoides), were introduced and intensive measurement campaigns were conducted to capture CO2 and CH4 fluxes as well as soil and surface water chemistry. Greenhouse gas fluxes were compared with a high-productive peat meadow as a reference site. Topsoil removal reduced the amount of phosphorus and iron in the soil to a large extent. The total amount of soil carbon per volume stayed more or less the same. The salinity of the soil was in general high, defining the system as brackish. Despite the topsoil removal and salinity, we found very high CH4 emissions for T. latifolia (84.8 g CH4 m−2 yr−1) compared with the much lower emissions from T. angustifolia (36.9 g CH4 m−2 yr−1) and Azolla (22.3 g CH4 m−2 yr−1). The high emissions can be partly explained by the large input of dissolved organic carbon into the system, but it could also be caused by plant stress factors like salinity level and herbivory. For the total CO2 flux (including C-export), the rewetting was effective, with a minor uptake of CO2 for Azolla (−0.13 kg CO2 m−2 yr−1) and a larger uptake for the Typha species (−1.14 and −1.26 kg CO2 m−2 yr−1 for T. angustifolia and T. latifolia, respectively) compared with the emission of 2.06 kg CO2 m−2 yr−1 for the reference site. T. angustifolia and Azolla, followed by T. latifolia, seem to have the highest potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions after rewetting to flooded conditions (−1.4, 2.9, and 10.5 t CO2 eq. ha−1 yr−1, respectively) compared with reference drained peatlands (20.6 t CO2 eq. ha−1 yr−1). When considering the total greenhouse gas balance, other factors, such as biomass use and storage of topsoil after removal, should be considered. Especially the latter factor could cause substantial carbon losses if not kept in anoxic conditions. When calculating the radiative forcing over time for the different paludicrops, which includes the GHG fluxes and the carbon release from the removed topsoil, T. latifolia will start to be beneficial in reducing global warming after 93 years compared with the reference site. For both Azolla and T. angustifolia this will be after 43 years.

Towards more biodiverse agricultural landscapes: How to make species-rich grassland a desirable and feasible option for dairy farmers

Species-rich grasslands are promoted by public and private actors for reasons of biodiversity, landscape amenity and animal health. There is little understanding of the considerations of farmers when they opt for or against species-rich grasslands. We held a workshop with 20 farmers and conducted in-depth interviews with 15 livestock farmers in Alblasserwaard - Vijfheerenlanden, a peat meadow landscape in the West of the Netherlands. In these discussions we made an inventory of opportunities and barriers that the farmers experience in terms of willingness, ability and support from society. In our analysis we distinguished four farming styles accommodating species-rich grasslands, which differ in the way willingness, ability and support from society are experienced by the farmers. Based on these findings, we make generic and farming style-specific recommendations for public policy and parties in the supply chain for effectively promoting species-rich grasslands among livestock farmers. We propose that a diverse public-private policy mix is essential to reach as many farmers as possible, acknowledging their heterogeneity and addressing their multiple needs.

The effect of underground drainage on peat meadows and inactivation of the drainage in an attempt to restore these meadows, which failed as it reduced the ability of soils to retain water

Drainage is often used to increase agriculture production, but it has adverse effects on biodiversity and water retention. Here, the effect of subsurface pipe drainage on peat meadows near Senotín (Czechia), which were drained from the mid-1980s to 1990s, was studied. Attempts were made to restore the peat meadows by damming drainage pipes using clay-filled trenches in 1996. In this case study, the effect on the depth of the water table, soil water retention, infiltration and soil temperature were recorded. Measurements of the original peat meadow (undrained site), drained meadow (drained site) and restored meadow (restored site) before restoration and two decades after restoration were recorded. The water table in undrained areas was higher than at drained and restored sites, indicating that drainage had lasting effect on drained and restored sites. Infiltration was lowest at the undrained site, greater at the drained site, and highest at the restored sites. Field water capacity was lowest at the restored site, greater at the drained site and highest at the undrained site. Soil water content at maximum saturation was lowest at the restored site, greater at the drained site and highest at the undrained site. Soil temperature was highest at the restored site with no significant difference between the undrained and drained sites. Soil moisture levels were highest at the undrained site and lowest at the drained site. In addition, the undrained and restored sites did not differ significantly in soil moisture content. In conclusion, restoration did not have a significant effect on the level of the water table, initiation of peat formation or ability of soil to hold water.

Higher density swards have a higher load bearing capacity

AbstractIncreasing the water table is an important pathway to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from peaty soils. In order to continue utilizing grasslands on these soils, methods to increase load bearing capacity at a higher water table are sought. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of sward density on load bearing capacity, measured as both penetration resistance and the newly developed method measuring load bearing capacity through impact depth. Simultaneously, a new method to measure load bearing capacity through impact depth was developed. The study was conducted between 2018 and 2020 on 14 different farms in the western peat meadow district in the Netherlands, where the sward density measured with the point quadrat method ranged from 24% to 92%. Swards with a higher sward density showed a higher load bearing capacity than swards with a lower density. In a modelling approach an increase from 30% sward density to 90% sward density could result in a lengthening of the grazing season between three (11%) and six weeks (22%), depending on the soil moisture conditions. Load bearing capacity was also highly correlated with gravimetric soil moisture content as wetter conditions lowered load bearing capacity. In order to capture load bearing capacity more accurately a new measurement device was constructed which represents treading cattle. Both output (impact depth) and method (resembles cow hoof) are close to practice, which makes it a very suitable method allowing for easy interpretation by farmers.

MEADOW VEGETATION OF THE SEIM RIVER VALLEY WITHIN THE TERRITORY OF THE BURYNA URBAN TERRITORIAL COMMUNITY, KONOTOP DISTRICT, SUMY REGION

As a result of human economic activity, most of the natural habitats of the Seim River valley within the territory of the Buryn city territorial community of Konotop district, Sumy region, have been destroyed. In this regard, there was a need to study the current state of meadow vegetation in this region. Part of the channel and the left bank of the Seim River is located on the territory of Buryn town community, which is characterized by a developed floodplain with meadow and marsh communities, oxbows, and floodplain terraces. During the research conducted in 2007–2022, it was found that meadow vegetation communities were completely destroyed in large areas, and the remaining ones underwent significant changes in the direction of impoverishment of population, species and coenotic biodiversity. It was found that the meadow vegetation of the Seim River valley within the territory of the Buryn city territorial community is represented by the following classes of formations: true, steppe, marshy and peaty meadows. It was found that the largest areas in the research area are occupied by real meadows and their composition includes the formations – Festuceta pratensis, Alopecureta pratensis, Calamagrostideta epigeios, Agrostideta albae, Festuceta rubrae, Phleeta pratensis, Anthoxantete odorati and Poeta pratensis. Steppe meadows are found in the middle section of the floodplain and are represented by two formations – Agrostideta syreistschikovii and Poeta angustifoliae. On the lower areas of the relief, small marshy meadows are not often found and are mostly represented by groups of formations – Glicerieta maximae, Cariceta acutae, Agrostideta stoloniferae. Peat meadows are represented by only one formation Deschampsieta caespitosae. 4 species of the plants brought to the Red Book of Ukraine and 3 – in the Red List of Plant Species, which are regionally rare, uncommon and disappearing and subject to special protection in the Sumy region.

Biodiversity loss caused by subsurface pipe drainage is difficult to restore

Subsurface pipe drainage was a frequently used way of agriculture intensification. Here, we present a case study of peat meadows that were drained from the mid 1980s to 1990s and were restored by interrupting drainage pipes through clay sealed trenches. This trial was subject of extensive survey of plant, soil fauna and soil chemistry, which was done just before restoration and then repeated 20 years later. The water table was the closest to surface in undrained meadows and much deeper in drained and restored meadows during both times. In the restored meadow, some increase of the water table was observed, but the water table was mostly within 60 cm of the surface. Undrained meadow was much richer in soil organic carbon. Plant communities in both drained and restored plots become closer to those in undrained remnants 20 years after restoration. Community weighted mean for Ellenberger values showed that undrained peat meadow remnants were more oligotrophic than drained and restored sites. Soil fauna communities of undrained remnants and both drained treatments were clearly separated in 1990s and lumped together 20 years later. This was caused by a shift in the communities in both drained treatments but also by degradation of undrained remnants, which shifted towards drained sites. The results show that restoration slightly shifted the communities towards the undrained reference sites, but the shift was not much bigger that those in drained sites and in both cases, do not result in peat formation. Control sites also show some degradation most likely due to eutrophication.

Long-Term Changes in Floristic Diversity as an Effect of Transforming the Lake into a Retention Reservoir

The Łęczna-Włodawa Lake District is one of the most valuable natural regions in Europe. It is an area of numerous lakes, peat bogs, swamps and forests, which has been undergoing intensive transformation for decades. Among the largest projects were the creation of the Wieprz Krzna Canal system along with the drainage system and the transformation of natural lakes into retention reservoirs. Among the transformed lakes is Lake Wytyckie. The land was used for analyses near the lake, and floristic and habitat analyses were carried out within the boundaries of the contemporary embankment. The studies were carried out from the 1950s, when the lake functioned as a natural reservoir, through to the 1980s (the transformation of the lake), to the 2020s. Lake Wytyckie was transformed into a retention reservoir by increasing its size and flooding the areas inhabited mainly by peat bog, meadow and forest vegetation, which contributed to the impoverishment of both species and habitat diversity of the area, while it increased the nutrient richness of the water. This was reflected both in the decline in the value of individual diversity indices as well as in the ecological index numbers. In the first period of the research, the area was dominated by wetlands, not drained, with a large variety of species that preferred good lighting conditions. Additionally, the habitat was characterized by low reaction, temperature and trophic values. In the following period, there was an increase in the depth of the water of the reservoir, characterized by high water visibility values, which contributed to the presence of protected species, as did the low moisture content of the areas within the embankment and a neutral pH. The factors currently influencing the formation of the vegetation structure are the high humidity of the entire embankment area, the increase in pH, and the significant increase in the share of built-up areas in the immediate vicinity.

Conventional subsoil irrigation techniques do not lower carbon emissions from drained peat meadows

Abstract. The focus of current water management in drained peatlands is to facilitate optimal drainage, which has led to soil subsidence and a strong increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The Dutch land and water authorities proposed the application of subsoil irrigation (SSI) system on a large scale to potentially reduce GHG emissions, while maintaining high biomass production. Based on model results, the expectation was that SSI would reduce peat decomposition in summer by preventing groundwater tables (GWTs) from dropping below −60 cm. In 2017–2018, we evaluated the effects of SSI on GHG emissions (CO2, CH4, N2O) for four dairy farms on drained peat meadows in the Netherlands. Each farm had a treatment site with SSI installation and a control site drained only by ditches (ditch water level −60 / −90 cm, 100 m distance between ditches). The SSI system consisted of perforated pipes −70 cm from surface level with spacing of 5–6 m to improve drainage during winter–spring and irrigation in summer. GHG emissions were measured using closed chambers every 2–4 weeks for CO2, CH4 and N2O. Measured ecosystem respiration (Reco) only showed a small difference between SSI and control sites when the GWT of SSI sites were substantially higher than the control site (> 20 cm difference). Over all years and locations, however, there was no significant difference found, despite the 6–18 cm higher GWT in summer and 1–20 cm lower GWT in wet conditions at SSI sites. Differences in mean annual GWT remained low (< 5 cm). Direct comparison of measured N2O and CH4 fluxes between SSI and control sites did not show any significant differences. CO2 fluxes varied according to temperature and management events, while differences between control and SSI sites remained small. Therefore, there was no difference between the annual gap-filled net ecosystem exchange (NEE) of the SSI and control sites. The net ecosystem carbon balance (NECB) was on average 40 and 30 t CO2 ha−1 yr−1 in 2017 and 2018 on the SSI sites and 38 and 34 t CO2 ha−1 yr−1 in 2017 and 2018 on the control sites. This lack of SSI effect is probably because the GWT increase remains limited to deeper soil layers (60–120 cm depth), which contribute little to peat oxidation. We conclude that SSI modulates water table dynamics but fails to lower annual carbon emission. SSI seems unsuitable as a climate mitigation strategy. Future research should focus on potential effects of GWT manipulation in the uppermost organic layers (−30 cm and higher) on GHG emissions from drained peatlands.

Biodiversity of the proposed reserve “Pshinchyne”

According to the results of a study of the valley of the river Khmelivka near the Basivka and Pshinchyne villages, Romny district, Sumy region the biodiversity was firstly characterized and the creation of the reserve with the local value named «Pshinchyne» was offered. 
 Flora, vegetation and fauna of the territory were studied with the usage of recognized floristical, geobotanical, zoological methods, reconnaissance and route-detailed in particular. We investigated that the dominating part of this valley territory is covered by the air-watered vegetation represented by the mono-groups of Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud.). Peat meadows are spread with the domination of Deshampsia caespitosa (L.) P. Beauv.). Meadow-steppe groups dominate on the two barrows with the major abundance of Elytrigia repens (L.) Nevski, Festuca valesiaca Gaudin, Festuca pratensis Huds., Poa pratensis L., Carex hirta L. We marked that within the river valley the trees Alnus glutinosa L. (Gaerth.), Salix fragilis L., Populus tremula L., Salix triandra L., Salix pentandra L. are actively spread. 
 The analisys of the fauna of the territory showed that at the riverbed part Rana ridibund and Rana arvalis are spread. Natrix natrix occurred at the coastal part. At the land part it was pointed the representatives of Capreolus capreolus, Lepus europaeus, Vulpes vulpes.
 The sozological value of the proposed reserve «Pshinchyne» consists of the 2 flora species declared in the Red book of Ukraine ‒ Dactylorhiza incarnata (L.) Soó. і Dactylorhyza fuchsii (Druce) Soо. and 23 plant species represented in the Red list of IUCN with the LC range of protection. Among the fauna there are 27 species with the IUCN protection status with the LC range, among them – 19 belong to the lists of annexes II and III of Bern convention. The results of conducted geographic-aesthetical and psycho-aesthetical rating bear evidence to high aesthetical value of the landscape of the river valley Khmelivka near Basivka and Pshinchyne villages and confirmed the expediency of this territory to be included to the nature reserve fund of Sumy region.

Greenhouse gas emissions and surface water management

Abstract. Soil subsidence is one of the major issues in the management area of the water authority Amstel, Gooi and Vecht, including emissions of greenhouse gases. This paper describes four different methods to calculate these emissions in agricultural peat meadows, based on (1) the mean lowest groundwater level, (2) the mean groundwater level, (3) the subsidence rates and (4) general numbers. The emissions were calculated in two polders (about 2600 ha peat meadow), these were comparable for all methods, ranging from 42 up to 50 kton CO2-eq yr−1 (based on data of 2015), which is about 14.5 up to 19 t CO2-eq ha−1 yr−1. Besides, the greenhouse gas emissions were compared for different policy scenario's in one polder subunit (283 ha): (1) standard policy (lowering surface water level at the same rate as soil subsidence taking place), (2) passive rewetting (surface water level fixation), (3) subsurface irrigation by submerged drains, and (4) a maximum surface water level decrease of 6 mm yr−1. Comparing the four policy scenario's in one polder subunit, greenhouse gas emissions were lowest in case of subsurface irrigation, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions by about 35 %–50 % in this polder compared to standard policy, meaning a decrease of about 5.5–9.3 t CO2-eq ha−1 yr−1. This represents a value of about 550–930 EUR ha−1 yr−1 (at a price of EUR 100 per ton CO2-eq). The scenario passive rewetting leads to a decrease of about 12 %–21 %, or 2–3 t CO2-eq ha−1 yr−1 compared to standard policy. The estimation of the decrease in GHG emissions depends on the assumptions made. In this study it was assumed that subsurface irrigation halves soil subsidence. The water board will use the described procedures to estimate greenhouse gas emissions in the future to support water level management in areas with peat soils.

The potential impact of measures taken by water authorities on greenhouse gas emissions

Abstract. Water authorities responsible for water quantity and water quality management may strongly influence the magnitude of greenhouse gas emissions from the surface waters and the adjacent peat areas within their territories. Climate smart water management (reducing influx of organic matter and improving water quality) is therefore a potentially strong mitigation tool. We hypothesize that climate smart water management has a stronger mitigation potential than reducing emissions from the operational management of a Water Authority. Based on literature data on greenhouse gas emissions from ditches and agricultural peatlands, we present a case study of a Dutch Water Authority – Amstel, Gooi and Vecht (operated by Waternet). We estimate that greenhouse gas emissions from the 195 km2 large peat area within its territory are 470 kt CO2-eq per year. An additional 231 kt CO2-eq yr−1 is emitted from the water bodies within the 102 km2 large water area territory. Both emissions are considerably higher than the estimated climate footprint of the operational management of the water board (∼62 kt CO2-eq per year in 2017). While Waternet strives to have a net zero emission of greenhouse gases related to its operational management by 2020, we postulate that measures (to be taken before 2030) such as the prevention of organic matter and nutrients entering surface waters, the removal of organic carbon from ditches and higher groundwater levels in agricultural peatlands, may reduce greenhouse gas emissions in ditches and agricultural peat meadows with 26 and 27 kt CO2-eq per year, respectively. Measures that are taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in water bodies are expected to have a positive impact on water quality as well.

A social costs and benefits analysis of peat soil-subsidence towards 2100 in 4 scenarios

Abstract. Waternet is the executive agency of the regional water authority Amstel, Gooi and Vecht. Water authority Amstel, Gooi and Vecht manages the water levels (ditches) for 19 400 ha of peat meadows around the Netherlands capital Amsterdam. At present the ditches levels at about 40–60 cm beneath the peat meadow surface, resulting in a groundwater level between from 30 until 80 cm below peat surface and a subsidence of about 9 mm each year. A study was carried out on peat soil subsidence in the Amstel, Gooi and Vecht water authority water management area towards 2100: for short term effects (until 2027), midterm effects (until 2050) and longer term effects (until 2100). This study explores 4 scenarios: (1) present policy (maintain ditch waterlevel at maximum 60 cm below surface); (2) active rewetting, groundwater level at surface; (3) passive rewetting, subsidence is not compensated by lowering of water levels; (4) subsurface irrigation by submerged drains (infiltration in summer, drainage in winter). The scenarios are compared on farming, houses, public infrastructure, greenhouse gases and water management. At present, the total net benefit for farmers are EUR 7 million per year for the whole area, while the costs for the water authority are EUR 37 million per year for managing ditches, dikes and pumps. Costs for greenhouse gases are EUR 18 million (at a price of EUR 40 per ton CO2-eq). Active rewetting would reduce soil subsidence maximally from 2 to 0.5 m towards 2100 but reduces the benefits for farming, whilst the costs for water management stay alike. The costs for greenhouse gases however drops with EUR 3 million per year immediately because CO2-eq emissions drops. Best (financial) results (with respect to all stakeholders) on the long term are booked by passive rewetting with lower costs for water management, houses, public works and greenhouse gases. This scenario will eventually take away the farming possibilities, but not before 2050 and could be too slow to contribute strongly to Paris agreement goals. Best result with respect to climate for short and long term is active rewetting, which will drop the greenhouse gas emissions strongly (equivalent of EUR 2.3 million per year), reduce soil subsidence, but makes farming harder (drop from 7.1 up to EUR 2.5 million per year benefit) and brings no direct reduction of costs for the water authority. Best result on short term for farmers is submerged infiltration drains. However, the effect of this scenario on GHG emission is limited in this study.

The Effect of Grazing System and Level of Concentrate Protein Feeding on Milk Production and N Use Efficiency of Dairy Cows on Peat Meadows

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of two contrasting grazing systems, strip-grazing and kurzrasen, at a high stocking rate on herbage intake and milk production and quality on a peat meadow. Additionally, we assessed the effect of the level of crude protein (CP) fed in concentrate on milk production and N use efficiency. Even at the relatively high stocking rates, cows still achieved substantial fresh grass intake (on average >6 kg dry matter cow−1 day−1) from both systems. Despite the lower level of gross grass production under kurzrasen management, the difference in milk production between kurzrasen and strip-grazing was small and non-significant. Feeding concentrate with a lower CP level, had no negative impact on milk yield, provided that the CP content of the total ration remained above ~150 g kg−1 DM and milk urea content was above ~18 mg 100 g−1 milk. Reducing the CP content in the concentrate significantly increased the N use efficiency, and both were strongly related to the milk urea content. Therefore, optimising the use of milk urea as a management tool on dairy farms, also during the grazing season, could reduce N losses to the environment, while maintaining productivity.

The Effect of Kurzrasen and Strip-Grazing on Grassland Performance and Soil Quality of a Peat Meadow

Due to the increased herd size in the Netherlands, there is need to assess the performance of different grazing systems at high stocking densities. The objective of the current experiment was to assess the effect of two extreme grazing systems, kurzrasen (continuous grazing at 3–5 cm sward height) and strip-grazing at a high stocking rate, on grass production and quality, grass morphology and sward density, root development and load bearing capacity on peat soil. To this end, a two-year grazing trial with four herds of 15 cows on 2 ha each was conducted. Kurzrasen showed 18% lower herbage dry matter production on average compared to strip-grazing. The yield penalty of using a shorter regrowth period under kurzrasen was limited due to the strong response in grass morphology, resulting in a dense and lamina-rich sward. There was a small decline in root density at 10 cm soil depth, but no evidence of a lower root density at 20 cm soil depth for kurzrasen compared to strip-grazing. Sward density was higher for kurzrasen compared to strip-grazing, which had a positive impact on load bearing capacity. This is an important feature on peat soils, where load bearing capacity is often limited.

Spatial-temporal changes in the peat resources of Ukraine

Information on peat stocks in the world as a whole is presented. The spatial and temporal changes in peat reserves in Ukraine are analyzed. The quantitative characterization of the distribution of peat deposits and peat reserves by types will be considered over a long period of research time. In the use of agriculture there are 7722 km2 of peat deposits, 2806 km2 of which are represented by depleted agricultural land, while the rest of the area is occupied by unproductive hayflowers, pastures, swamps and shrubs. In the use of forestry enterprises there are 1536 km2 of peat deposits, most of which are also drained. At present, the main reserves of peat are in the following oblasts: Volyn (21%), Rivne (18%), Chernihiv (12%), Kyiv (11%), Lviv (6%), Khmelnytsky (6%), Sumy (5%), Zhytomyr (4%), other regions — 4%. The number of fields, their areas are gradually decreasing, for each decade they decrease by 3–20%, depending on the rate of use and other factors. Rapid pace of transformation of drained peatlands, specificity of soil formation, peculiar microclimate, greenhouse effect of swamps, radioactive contamination, high adsorption capacity for pollutants, coagulation of soil colloids, wind and hydrothermal erosion, degradation and formation of badlands, re-waterlogging, cascade of piles on drained lands, untimely reclamation, pyrogenic threat, illegal extraction of minerals, natural radioactivity and radon emissions, methane emissions, greenhouse gas deposition, creation and peat meadows, forests, hunting areas, protection of wetlands and peatlands — is one of the main issues to be addressed by introducing a set of measures based on science-based concepts. The peatlands, besides the unique phyto-, zoo-, and landscape manifolds, carry out serious soil protection, hydroforming functions, provide greenhouse gas absorption, are peat deposits as conditionally regenerating organogenic fuels, fertilizers and chemical raw materials; these are important reserves of berries, medicinal herbs, peat deposits of valuable value. for paleoecological research. The necessity of development of drained peatlands of Ukraine for effective agricultural management as an indicator of environmental changes is determined. Depleted and spent peatlands require rehabilitation and reclamation. The main questions to be solved by introducing the complex of the most urgent measures on the basis of a scientifically grounded concept — the creation of cascades of reservoirs from fish breeding, cultivating bioenergetic crops (willow, miscanthus, etc.), laying berries (high boletus, cranberries of largeleafed), etc. are given.

The climate warming effect of a fen peat meadow with fluctuating water table is reduced by young alder trees.

The climate warming effect of a fen peat meadow with fluctuating water table is reduced by young alder trees.

Cell wall fractions in the biomass of Dactylis glomerata and Festuca pratensis

<p>The <strong>purpose</strong> of this paper is to determine the changes in the concentration of different fractions in the cell wall of <em>Dactylis glomerata</em> and <em>Festuca pratensis</em> growing on both mineral and organic soil with different harvesting times. This paper has drawn on two field experiments set up and carried out between 2010 and 2013 by the Research Centre for Cultivar Testing in Słupia Wielka. The experimental plots were sown with varieties of <em>Dactylis glomerata</em>: Niva, Tukan, Amila, Crown Royale and with varieties of <em>Festuca pratensis</em>: Limosa, Pasja, Anturka, Amelka (d. AND 1009). The experiment in Krzyżewo was set up on mineral soil. In Uhnin the experimental plots were located on peat meadow. The full exploitation of <em>Dactylis glomerata</em> varieties was due between 2012 and 2013, whereas for <em>Festuca pratensis</em> it was due between 2011 and 2012. In the experimental plots with the varieties of <em>Dactylis glomerata</em> the grass was harvested six times a year and chemical analysis of the biomass was done taking dry matter only from five cuts. The varieties of <em>Festuca pratensis</em> were harvested four times. Each year in the course of the experiment fresh and dry matter of each cut were weighed. The obtained results showed that the time of the harvest or cut for both of the grass species showed significantly different concentrations of the neutral detergent fiber fraction (NDF), acid detergent fiber fraction (ADF) and different concentrations of lignin and cellulose. For both of the grass species, plants harvested in the fourth cut had the highest content of different cell wall fractions. The location, that is the type of soil, affected the concentration of lignin (ADL), but only in the case of <em>Festuca pratensis</em>. A higher concentration of this polysaccharide was in the grass growing on organic soil.</p>

Compositional and functional stability of aerobic methane consuming communities in drained and rewetted peat meadows.

The restoration of peatlands is an important strategy to counteract subsidence and loss of biodiversity. However, responses of important microbial soil processes are poorly understood. We assessed functioning, diversity and spatial organization of methanotrophic communities in drained and rewetted peat meadows with different water table management and agricultural practice. Results show that the methanotrophic diversity was similar between drained and rewetted sites with a remarkable dominance of the genus Methylocystis. Enzyme kinetics depicted no major differences, indicating flexibility in the methane (CH4) concentrations that can be used by the methanotrophic community. Short-term flooding led to temporary elevated CH4 emission but to neither major changes in abundances of methane-oxidizing bacteria (MOB) nor major changes in CH4 consumption kinetics in drained agriculturally used peat meadows. Radiolabeling and autoradiographic imaging of intact soil cores revealed a markedly different spatial arrangement of the CH4 consuming zone in cores exposed to near-atmospheric and elevated CH4. The observed spatial patterns of CH4 consumption in drained peat meadows with and without short-term flooding highlighted the spatial complexity and responsiveness of the CH4 consuming zone upon environmental change. The methanotrophic microbial community is not generally altered and harbors MOB that can cover a large range of CH4 concentrations offered due to water-table fluctuations, effectively mitigating CH4 emissions.

Modeling direct and indirect climate change impacts on ecological networks: a case study on breeding habitat of Dutch meadow birds

Context Climate change can directly affect habitats within ecological networks, but may also have indirect effects on network quality by inducing land use change. The relative impact of indirect effects of climate change on the quality of ecological networks currently remains largely unknown. Objectives The objective of this study was to determine the relative impact of direct and indirect effects of climate change on a network of breeding habitat of four meadow bird species (Black-tailed godwit, Common redshank, Eurasian oystercatcher and Northern lapwing) in the Netherlands. Methods Habitat models were developed that link meadow bird breeding densities to three habitat characteristics that are sensitive to environmental change (landscape openness, land use and groundwater level). These models were used to assess the impact of scenarios of landscape change with and without climate change on meadow bird breeding habitat quality for a case study area in the peat meadow district of the Netherlands. Results All scenarios led to significantly reduced habitat quality for all species, mainly as a result of conversion of grassland to bioenergy crops, which reduces landscape openness. Direct effects of climate change on habitat quality were largely absent, indicating that especially human adaptation to climate change rather than direct effects of climate change was decisive for the degradation of ecological network quality for breeding meadow birds. Conclusions We conclude that scenario studies exploring impacts of climate change on ecological networks should incorporate both land use change resulting from human responses to climate change and direct effects of climate change on landscapes.