Depth of water table prior to ditch network maintenance is a key factor for tree growth response

Abstract

In boreal-drained peatland forests, tree growth is retarded by the gradual deterioration of drainage ditch networks. In order to avoid the development of suboptimal growth conditions, ditch network maintenance (DNM) operations (ditch cleaning and/or complementary ditching) are annually conducted on an area of about 70,000 ha in Finland. The previous studies indicate that the depth of the water table prior to DNM may influence the magnitude of the growth response to DNM. Tree growth does not necessarily increase after DNM at sites with large stand volume and subsequent low water levels due to tree stand evapotranspiration. We investigated how the pre-treatment water table depth (pre-WTD) in late summer relates to the growth of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stands after the DNM operation in 12 field experiments. The increase in mean annual volume growth caused by DNM was negatively related to the pre-WTD, with the highest growth response in stands where the pre-WTD was less than 25–30 cm. DNM did not clearly increase stand growth in sites where the pre-WTD was more than 35–40 cm below the soil surface. There was a high variation in growth response to DNM between the water levels from 20 to 35 cm below the soil surface, indicating that factors other than water table depth are also needed as decision criteria for assessing the appropriate timing of ditch network maintenance.     

Afforestation of low-productivity peatlands in Sweden — the potential of natural seeding

In 1971, a series of five afforestation trials were established along a north-south gradient on open peatlands in Sweden. All areas were drained, fertilized and planted with Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris). Survival and height of the planted trees as well as the amount of natural establishment, i.e. downy birch (Betula pubescens), silver birch (Betula pendula), Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), and other deciduous species: (e.g. Salix sp., Sorbus aucuparia), by seeding from nearby forests were measured 18–22 years later. The amount of naturally established trees exceeded the number of living planted trees in all five areas. Next to downy birch, Scots pine was the most common naturally established species. Large variations in both amount and height of natural establishment were found along the climatic gradient. Planted trees were taller than naturally established trees, except for the northernmost area. Number and height of naturally established trees correlated positively to closeness to nearest forest and to nearest ditch. These trees also responded positively to PK fertilization in the three southernmost areas. In the two northernmost areas no such response was found. It was concluded that natural seeding from neighbouring forests can be counted on and recommended in afforestation of low-productive peatlands in Sweden, provided that downy birch is accepted as a dominant tree species.     

Biogeochemical impacts of clearfelling and reforestation on blanket peatland streams I. phosphorus

Forest drains and streams on blanket peatland in western Ireland were sampled weekly, 1996–2000, using continuous, depth-proportional passive sampling, and analysed for molybdate-reactive phosphorus (MRP) by the acid–antimony-molybdate method. The study area was largely clearfelled and partly reforested with wind-rowing, drainage, planting, and aerially applied rock phosphate equivalent to 70 kg P/ha. Further felled areas were not wind-rowed, drained or fertilised for reforestation. Catchment areas were of the following orders: 1 ha (two forest drains); 10–20 ha (two semi-permanent drains, one permanent stream); 1–3 km² (three permanent streams). Streamwater from three undisturbed closed-canopy-forest catchments had pre-felling median concentrations of MRP (all values are μg MRP l⁻¹) of 9 (catchment approximately 1 km²), 13 (1 ha) and 93 (1 ha). Clearfelling was associated with large increases (maxima 305, 4164 and 3530 μg MRP l⁻¹) in MRP concentrations in each case. Following protracted mechanical operations in four other catchments of ca. 1 km², 20, 10 and 10 ha, with apparently existing elevated MRP concentrations (medians 41, 328, 102, 214 μg MRP l⁻¹) fertilising gave major rises (maxima 218, 2723, 806, 2323 μg MRP l⁻¹). The three smaller catchments showed subsequent exponential-type declines, while the 1 km² catchment had sustained high values (median 74 μg MRP l⁻¹) over the remaining study period. The higher values in this one larger stream were seasonally cyclical, with a late summer maximum. Annual median MRP values above 70 μg l⁻¹ represent a seriously polluted state for these streams, which qualify as waterways under relevant statutes, but it is not clear what implications these results have for downstream river-water quality in larger channels.     

PEATLAND CONVERSION AND DEGRADATION PROCESSES IN INSULAR SOUTHEAST ASIA: A CASE STUDY IN JAMBI,INDONESIA

The ongoing conversion and degradation of insular Southeast Asian peat swamp forests causes globally important carbon emissions and leads to loss of unique biodiversity. Little quantitative information is available on the dynamics of peat swamp forest conversion. In this case study, we present a time‐series of peatland conversion and degradation in the Air Hitam Laut peatlands in Jambi Province (Sumatra, Indonesia), which included the Berbak National Park. High‐resolution (10–60 m) satellite imagery was used to map land cover and degradation status for nine time slices between the 1970s and 2009. Nearly‐pristine forest cover was shown to have declined in the study area from 90 to 43 per cent, inside the Berbak National Park from 95 to 73 per cent and outside the National Park from 86 to 25 per cent. Outside the protected area, 66 per cent of former nearly‐pristine forests turned into degraded forests or unmanaged deforested areas. Large‐scale oil palm plantations accounted for 21 per cent of the formerly nearly‐pristine areas and small‐holder agriculture for 8 per cent. The conversion to plantation has fast accelerated since 2002. Conversion from nearly‐pristine forest to plantation typically took around 6 years, at times up to 10 years. Better understanding of conversion and degradation dynamics will allow for improved estimates of the implications of management planning decisions taken in peatland areas. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nitrous oxide emission derived from soil organic matter decomposition from tropical agricultural peat soil in central Kalimantan,Indonesia

Our previous research showed large amounts of nitrous oxide (N₂O) emission (>200?kg?N?ha^?1?year^?1) from agricultural peat soil. In this study, we investigated the factors influencing relatively large N₂O fluxes and the source of nitrogen (N) substrate for N₂O in a tropical peatland in central Kalimantan, Indonesia. Using a static chamber method, N₂O and carbon dioxide (CO₂) fluxes were measured in three conventionally cultivated croplands (conventional), an unplanted and unfertilized bare treatment (bare) in each cropland, and unfertilized grassland over a three-year period. Based on the difference in N₂O emission from two treatments, contribution of the N source for N₂O was calculated. Nitrous oxide concentrations at five depths (5–80?cm) were also measured for calculating net N₂O production in soil. Annual N fertilizer application rates in the croplands ranged from 472 to 1607?kg?N?ha^?1?year^?1. There were no significant differences in between N₂O fluxes in the two treatments at each site. Annual N₂O emission in conventional and bare treatments varied from 10.9 to 698 and 6.55 to 858?kg?N?ha^?1?year^?1, respectively. However, there was also no significant difference between annual N₂O emissions in the two treatments at each site. This suggests most of the emitted N₂O was derived from the decomposition of peat. There were significant positive correlations between N₂O and CO₂ fluxes in bare treatment in two croplands where N₂O flux was higher than at another cropland. Nitrous oxide concentration distribution in soil measured in the conventional treatment showed that N₂O was mainly produced in the surface soil down to 15?cm in the soil. The logarithmic value of the ratio of N₂O flux and nitrate concentration was positively correlated with water filled pore space (WEPS). These results suggest that large N₂O emission in agricultural tropical peatland was caused by denitrification with high decomposition of peat. In addition, N₂O was mainly produced by denitrification at high range of WFPS in surface soil.     

Effect of plant-mediated oxygen supply and drainage on greenhouse gas emission from a tropical peatland in Central Kalimantan,Indonesia

Abstract

To evaluate the hypothesis that plant-mediated oxygen supplies decrease methane (CH₄) production and total global warming potential (GWP) in a tropical peatland, the authors compared the fluxes and dissolved concentrations of greenhouse gases [GHGs; CH₄, carbon dioxide (CO₂) and nitrous oxide (N₂O)] and dissolved oxygen (DO) at multiple peatland ecosystems in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. Study ecosystems included tropical peat swamp forest and degraded peatland areas that were burned and/or drained during the rainy season. CH₄ fluxes were significantly influenced by land use and drainage, which were highest in the flooded burnt sites (5.75 ± 6.66 mg C m^?2 h^?1) followed by the flooded forest sites (1.37 ± 2.03 mg C m^?2 h^?1), the drained burnt site (0.220 ± 0.143 mg C m^?2 h^?1), and the drained forest site (0.0084 ± 0.0321 mg C m^?2 h^?1). Dissolved CH₄ concentrations were also significantly affected by land use and drainage, which were highest in the flooded burnt sites (124 ± 84 μmol L^?1) followed by the drained burnt site (45.2 ± 29.8 μmol L^?1), the flooded forest sites (1.15 ± 1.38 μmol L^?1) and the drained forest site (0.860 ± 0.819 μmol L^?1). DO concentrations were influenced by land use only, which were significantly higher in the forest sites (6.9 ± 5.6 μmol L^?1) compared to the burnt sites (4.0 ± 2.9 μmol L^?1). These results suggest that CH₄ produced in the peat might be oxidized by plant-mediated oxygen supply in the forest sites. CO₂ fluxes were significantly higher in the drained forest site (340 ± 250 mg C m^?2 h^?1 with a water table level of ?20 to ?60 cm) than in the drained burnt site (108 ± 115 mg C m^?2 h^?1 with a water table level of ?15 to +10 cm). Dissolved CO₂ concentrations were 0.6–3.5 mmol L^?1, also highest in the drained forest site. These results suggested enhanced CO₂ emission by aerobic peat decomposition and plant respiration in the drained forest site. N₂O fluxes ranged from ?2.4 to ?8.7 μg N m^?2 h^?1 in the flooded sites and from 3.4 to 8.1 μg N m^?2 h^?1 in the drained sites. The negative N₂O fluxes might be caused by N₂O consumption by denitrification under flooded conditions. Dissolved N₂O concentrations were 0.005–0.22 μmol L^?1 but occurred at < 0.01 μmol L^?1 in most cases. GWP was mainly determined by CO₂ flux, with the highest levels in the drained forest site. Despite having almost the same CO₂ flux, GWP in the flooded burnt sites was 20% higher than that in the flooded forest sites due to the large CH₄ emission (not significant). N₂O fluxes made little contribution to GWP.     

Long-term effect of wood and peat ash fertilization on nutrient content in peat and trees on a drained peatland

ABSTRACT

Total and soluble nutrients in peat were studied after ash fertilization on an oligotroph peatland in southeast Norway. Plots 15?m?×?15?m in size were fertilized with 0, 4, 7, and 10 tons ha¹ of wood or peat ash in 1944. Chemical analyses after 18, 35 and 48 years showed a gradual reduction of phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca) from the 0 to 10?cm surface peat layer. Some of the leached Ca was recovered in the layers 10–20 and 20–40?cm, while hardly any of the lost P was recovered in this way. The amount of potassium (K) in the surface layer declined by 75% over the first 18 years, and remained stable thereafter. Nothing of the lost K was recovered in deeper layers. The pH reflected the Ca levels. Over the years, an increasing proportion of the applied P, K and Ca was retrieved in the trees. Needle analyses indicated that declining tree vigor on plots fertilized with 4 and 7 tons of ash ha^?1 was due to P limitations. After 48 years, the peat content of P and Ca was still significantly higher in fertilized than in control plots, thus demonstrating the long-lasting effect of ash fertilization.     

厌氧条件下环境因子对泥炭土壤温室气体排放的影响研究

为研究环境因子对寒温带泥炭土壤温室气体排放的影响,选取加拿大Mer Bleue泥炭沼泽的泥炭土壤为培养介质,利用室内微宇宙培养实验,分别以培养温度(5.4、13.1、20.1℃)、pH值(4、5、6、7)以及泥炭土底质(采样深度50、100、150、250 cm)为环境因子,探讨其对二氧化碳(CO_2)和甲烷(CH_4)排放的影响程度。结果表明,在不同环境因子处理组中CO_2和CH_4的初始产生速率范围分别为0.399～2.27μmol·g~(-1)DW·d~(-1)和0.018～0.180μmol·g~(-1)DW·d~(-1),排放阈值范围分别为1.38～91.6μmol·g~(-1)DW和1.12～9.02μmol·g~(-1)DW。温度越高,CO_2和CH_4的产生速率越快,且温度对CH_4的影响比对CO_2的影响更明显。pH值分别与CO_2的初始产生速率和阈值呈显著正相关,而CH_4的初始产生速率受pH值的影响不显著,在pH值为5～6时CH_4排放阈值最大。对于采集深度不同的泥炭土,深度为50 cm处的CO_2和CH_4排放量最多,而深度为50 cm以下的气体排放量极低。研究表明,不同环境因子处理组表现出不同的初始产生速率和阈值,说明环境因素对天然泥炭地中相对稳定的碳储存存在较大影响。     

Formation of a Groundwater Table by Trench Irrigation and Evapotranspiration in a Drained Peatland

To evaluate the coexistence of agricultural managements and wetland ecosystem conservation, the Bibai mire, an ombrotrophic mire in Hokkaido, Japan, was selected as an experimental site that had been affected by neighboring agricultural managements. Since the lowering of the level of the groundwater table in the peripheral area of the mire had threatened indigenous vegetations, keeping the groundwater table shallow by trench irrigation seemed to be an effective measure to recover the original vegetation. The objective of the present study was to quantify the amount of water and the effective area of trench irrigation required in a bamboo-invading area in a pristine mire. We constructed a trench 28 m long and irrigated at the rate of 2.22 m³ d⁻¹ in a bamboo-invading area in the mire. And to analyze the hydro-meteorological conditions under the trench irrigation, we measured the saturated hydraulic conductivity of the peat layer (3.8 × 10⁻³ cm s⁻¹), the evapotranspiration rate (2.80 mm d⁻¹), the depth of the non-irrigated groundwater table (0.15 m) and the surface gradient (0.00493). In addition, using the mass conservation equation and Darcy's law, we derived a steady state model of the level of the groundwater table formed by trench irrigation, which required the five parameters mentioned above. The irrigated water spread over a distance of only about 15 m to both sides of the trench. The model also estimated that the distance for the irrigated area was 14.6 m and we concluded that the irrigated area was limited within a distance of 20 m distances to both sides of the trench and that the irrigation rate per unit trench length did not exceed 0.12 m² d⁻¹ for realistic values of the evapotranspiration rate and the saturated hydraulic conductivity in peatland.     

增温与干旱双重变化对若尔盖泥炭CH4排放的影响

若尔盖泥炭地经历了长期人为排水,未来又面临着强烈的变暖干旱,会对泥炭地CH₄排放产生复杂影响。在若尔盖选取了近自然和长期人为排水两种泥炭地类型,采集1 m深泥炭柱,采用室内环境控制试验,设定不同的氧气、水分和温度条件,探索这两种典型泥炭地的泥炭CH₄排放对增温与干旱双重变化的响应差异。结果表明:(1)由于水位降低和泥炭有机物质量下降,长期排水泥炭地的中下层泥炭(20—80 cm)CH₄累积排放量显著低于近自然泥炭地。(2)两种泥炭地的表层和深层泥炭CH₄排放都对升温不敏感,而中下层泥炭的CH₄累积排放量从5℃到15℃显著增加。(3)模拟增温10℃同时干旱水位降低20 cm条件下,中层泥炭受到了温度、水分和氧气变化的叠加影响,CH₄排放变化最剧烈。(4)最终整个1 m深泥炭近自然泥炭地高温低水位的CH₄总排放量为(204.29±15.13)μg/gC,比其低温高水位显著升高66.43 μg/gC(约48%); 排水泥炭地高温低水位的CH₄总排放量为(75.64±9.41)μg/gC,比其低温高水位升高11.95 μg/gC(约19%)。综上,升温干旱气候会对若尔盖泥炭地的有机碳稳定性造成破坏性影响,会集中导致中层泥炭CH₄排放的剧烈变化,可能最终使本区域CH₄排放量显著提高。