Metla Project 7073

The environmental impact of the afforestation on cut-away peatlands

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Duration: 2001-2006   Keywords: afforestation, biomass, cut-away peatlands, run-off
Research project group: Distinct projects 1 - Structure and function of forest ecosystems

Objectives

The aim of the project is to study the environmental impacts of the afforestation on cut-away peatlands, especially nutrient run-offs and the biomass increment caused by afforestation.

Results

The results of the project proved that ash-fertilization multiplied the coverage of ground vegetation and increased the variety of plant species on a cut-away peatland. The most striking difference observed was the rapid formation of pioneering moss species on the ash-fertilized areas as compared to the Forest PK-fertilized areas. A dense moss cover stabilizes the loose peat surface efficiently and may decrease the erosion and leaching of nutrients and solid matter to watercourses. In addition, the biomass of the ground vegetation was even greater than that of the tree seedlings, and therefore the ground vegetation has a major importance in carbon-fixing at the early stages of the afforestation. Ash-fertilization improved also the germination and survival of downy birch seedlings on a cut-away peatland. These results support the use of peat- and wood-ashes as a recyclable constituent instead of being regarded as a mere waste.

After site preparation the concentrations of suspended solids and nutrients in runoff water were usually relatively high compared to those in normal peat production areas or peatland forest areas. However, the concentrations appeared to return to the normal level very rapidly the average water quality being approximately the same as or better than that in the peat production areas with sedimentation ponds. The loads were slightly bigger than or at the same level as that in the peat production areas. More comprehensive results of water quality and loads from the afforested peat production areas will be presented later.

Project leader: Piispanen, Juha
The Finnish Forest Research Institute, Muhos Research Unit, Kirkkosaarentie 7, FI-91500 MUHOS, FINLAND
Phone: +358 10 211 3720 Telefax: +358 10 211 3701
E-mail: juha.piispanen@metla.fi

Other researchers: Huotari, Noora, MU (2003-04,2006), Piiroinen, Marja-Leena, MU (2005), Tillman-Sutela, Eila, MU (2004-06)


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Updated 30.12.2009
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