Study

Assessment of an integrated peat-harvesting and reclamation method: peatland-atmosphere carbon fluxes and vegetation recovery

  • Published source details Wilhelm L.P., Morris P.J., Granath G. & Waddington J.M. (2015) Assessment of an integrated peat-harvesting and reclamation method: peatland-atmosphere carbon fluxes and vegetation recovery. Wetlands Ecology and Management, 23, 491-504.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Replace blocks of vegetation after mining or peat extraction

Action Link
Peatland Conservation
  1. Replace blocks of vegetation after mining or peat extraction

    A site comparison study in 2008–2009 in a fen in Ontario, Canada (Wilhelm et al. 2015) reported that plots where surface peat was replaced developed plant cover and community composition intermediate between hummocks and hollows of an undisturbed plot. These results were not tested for statistical significance. After one year, Sphagnum moss cover was higher in peat-replacement plots (22–35%) than in undisturbed hollows (8–19%), but lower than on undisturbed hummocks (100%). The same was true for shrubs (peat-replacement: 15–20%; undisturbed hollows: 10%; undisturbed hummocks: 50%). For peat-replacement plots, data were not provided separately for hollows and hummocks. Overall community data were reported as a graphical analysis. In April 2008, 30-cm-thick blocks of peat and vegetation were replaced on a 12 x 12 m plot after removal of the underlying peat. An undisturbed plot 80 m away provided a comparison. From May to July 2009, vegetation cover was estimated in 6–18 quadrats/plot, distributed evenly across hummocks and hollows.

    (Summarised by: Nigel Taylor)

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