Peatland Restoration for Water Regulation
Jonathan Price (University of Waterloo)
Tim Allot, Martin Evans (University of Manchester)
Joint British Ecological Society and IUCN UK Peatland Symposium 2012 - Investing in Peatlands - Demonstrating Success
Introduction Context Peak District Conclusion Bois-des Bel
Peatland Restoration for Water Regulation Water Restoration for Peatland Regulation
Introduction Context Peak District Conclusion Bois-des Bel
Blanket bog; Peak District, UK Lowland bog; Bois-des-Bel, QC, Canada
Degraded peatlands compromise water quality
• Gully erosion and bare peat
• Grips and peat drainage
• Water table drawdown
• Reduced peat accumulation
• Aerobic decomposition
Degraded peats and pollutants • Reduced/zero C, SO4,NO3, NH4, metal accumulation
• Transformation from sink to source
Drainage waters • High POC • Increased DOC • Increased SO4 and NO3 • Increased acidity • Elevated metals and toxic substances
Image from Holden et al (2007)
Introduction Context Peak District Conclusion Bois-des Bel
Progress of re-vegetation over 5 years
Introduction Context Peak District Conclusion Bois-des Bel
Introduction Context Peak District Conclusion Bois-des Bel
-100
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WaterTableDepth(mm)
Hourlywatertabledata:August-November2008
Intact BarePeat Re-vegetated
Introduction Context Peak District Conclusion Bois-des Bel
Re-vegetation shuts down suspended sediment production and release
= data from intact reference site Evans M and Worrall (2009) NE Report
Sediment Loads gC m2 a-1
Joseph South 4.07
Joseph North 1.43
Trenches North Hi 157.64
Trenches South 804.42
Control 1.87
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0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000
Q Ls-1km-2
SS
C m
g/l
Introduction Context Peak District Conclusion Bois-des Bel
Introduction Context Peak District Conclusion Bois-des Bel
Bois des Bel
Introduction Context Peak District Conclusion Bois-des Bel
Introduction Context Peak District Conclusion Bois-des Bel
Introduction Context Peak District Conclusion Bois-des Bel
VMC
Introduction Context Peak District Conclusion Bois-des Bel
• Vegetation communities returned • 2010 (dry) C source < natural site • Vascular plants compensate for moss
Peatland Restoration for Water Regulation
Hydrology Vegetation Topography
Water deficit
• Define appropriate, realistic restoration objectives • Establish a method • Monitor / Wait / Assess
Introduction Context Peak District Conclusion Bois-des Bel
(Bio)geochemistry and soils
Eroding blanket bog Harvested lowland bog