Authors:
Markku Saarinen, Juha-Pekka Hotanen & Virpi Alenius
Book:
Proceedings of the 14th International Peat Congress
Venue:
Stockholm
Keywords:
drained-peatland, forest-regeneration, soil-preparation, vegetation-succession
Documentfile:
Saarinen et al 2012: Vegetation Succession in Prepared Microsites in Drained Peatland Forest Regeneration Areas
Summary:
Theme VII. Ecology and management on forested peatlands
SUMMARY
In this study the aim behind monitoring vegetation changes was to deduce how quickly prepared microsites revegetate in drained peatland forest regeneration areas depending on their surface characteristics as well as their proximity to the water table. The depth of the water table in scalps was an essential environmental variable affecting vegetation succession. Likewise, the original composition of vegetation (prior to soil preparation) and scalp depth were integral factors in determining how vegetation proceeded to develop. In mounds vegetation succession progressed substantially slower. The height and soil composition of mounds were important in determining the successional pathway.