GREENHOUSE GAS FLUX HETEROGENEITY ACROSS A TEMPERATE LOWLAND FEN UNDER RESTORATION MANAGEMENT

摘要

Natural peatlands function as a carbon (C) sink and long term C store. However, past management has led to substantial net losses of stored C across the UK, other areas of northern Europe and more recently in tropical peatlands. Degraded peatlands are being targeted for restoration to reduce current emissions and restore their original C sink potential. This study investigates GHG flux heterogeneity across a partially degraded lowland fen on the west coast of the UK, where a tall fen, short fen and former improved pasture were subjected to management interventions, including burning, hand-cutting and excavation. The upscaling of chamber measurements to annual budgets found the tall fen acted as a net sink of C throughout the study period, whilst the short fen acted as a net source of C following intervention. The opposing response in GHG fluxes from the tall and short fen following intervention has implications for the management of degraded fens and highlights the importance of taking into consideration initial conditions in restoration decisions.