context peak district bois-des bel conclusion peatland … · 2019-04-05 · peatland restoration...

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