The tortoise and the hare: Greenhouse gas fluxes in reed and sedge communities in a rewetted industrial cutaway peatland

Authors:
David Wilson, Ronan Connolly, Catherine Farrell

Book:
Proceedings of the 14th International Peat Congress

Venue:
Stockholm

Keywords:
greenhouse-gas, rewetted-peatland

Documentfile:
Wilson et al 2012: The tortoise and the hare: Greenhouse gas fluxes in reed and sedge communities in a rewetted industrial cutaw

Summary:

Theme X. Peatland carbon budgets and greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes

Abstract

Drained industrial peatlands are a significant greenhouse gas (GHG) source. Following the cessation of peat extraction, there is an opportunity to reverse the climate warming impact by (a) rewetting the cutaway and (b) the establishment of vegetation communities that will actively sequester carbon (C). In the Reedflux project, carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) fluxes, leaf area index, soil temperatures and water table levels (WT) are being measured in reed (Phragmites australis) and sedge (Carex rostrata / Eriophorum angustifolium) communities at a rewetted industrial cutaway in Co. Offaly, Ireland. Preliminary results will be shown and discussed.