Measuring the efficiency of fen restoration on carabid beetles and vascular plants: a case study from north-eastern Germany
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Published source details
Görn S. & Fischer K. (2015) Measuring the efficiency of fen restoration on carabid beetles and vascular plants: a case study from north-eastern Germany. Restoration Ecology, 23, 413-420.
Published source details Görn S. & Fischer K. (2015) Measuring the efficiency of fen restoration on carabid beetles and vascular plants: a case study from north-eastern Germany. Restoration Ecology, 23, 413-420.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Rewet peatland (raise water table) Action Link |
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Rewet peatland (raise water table)
A replicated site comparison study in 1998–2012 in eight fens in Germany (Görn & Fischer 2015) found that rewetted fens contained a similar plant community of similar height to both drained and natural fens, and had similar plant species richness to drained (but not natural) fens. After 14 years, the overall plant community composition in rewetted fens was not significantly different from drained or near-natural fens (but intermediate between the two; data reported as similarity indices). Vegetation height did not differ significantly between fen types (rewetted: 118 cm; drained: 56 cm; near-natural: 128 cm). Plant species richness was similar in rewetted and drained fens (both 18 species/4 m2), but lower than in near-natural fens (32 species/4 m2). Eight neighbouring fens were compared: two rewetted in 1998 (water table 38 cm below peat surface during summer), three that remained drained (water table 78 cm below surface) and three near-natural (never substantially drained; water table 13 cm below surface). In August and September 2012, cover of every plant species was estimated in thirty 4 m2 quadrats/fen type. Overall vegetation height was measured at 150 points/fen type.
(Summarised by: Nigel Taylor)
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