Skip to main content

Ecosystem-scale flux of CO2 from a restored vacuum harvested peatland

Wetlands Ecology and Management volume 11, pages 419–432 (2003)Cite this article

Abstract

At the ecosystem scale, the water and gasexchange processes are strongly coupled.Drainage and removal of a peatland'ssurface vegetation cover for peatharvesting alters its hydrology, and as adirect consequence the carbon budget.Previous studies have measuredpeatland-atmosphere carbon exchange usingthe chamber methodology. These studies haveindicated that the spatial and temporalvariability is large, suggesting the needfor continuous ecosystem-scalemeasurements. This paper presents ecosystemscale measurements of the atmosphericexchange of water and carbon dioxide(CO2) from a restored vacuum-harvestedpeatland in eastern Québec, Canada,using the eddy correlation measurementapproach.Results indicate that the adoptedrestoration practices reduce the loss ofwater from the peat. Evapotranspirationfrom the restored site was 20 and 25% lessthan that from an adjacent abandonedcomparison site in 2000 and 2001respectively. However, CO2 emissionsremain large during non-snow periods (478and 468 g C m-2 in 2000 and 2001,respectively). The blockage of drainageditches and the existence of a mulch coverat the site keep the moisture and thermalconditions more or less constant.Consequently, the CO2 flux, which ispredominantly soil respiration, is stronglycontrolled by peat temperaturefluctuations.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price includes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

References

  • Armentano, T.V. and Menges, E.S. 1986. Patterns of change in the carbon balance of organic soil-wetlands of the temperate zone. J. Ecol. 74: 755–774.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aurela, M., Tuovinen, J.-P. and Laurila, T. 1998. Carbon dioxide exchange in a subarctic peatland ecosystem in northern Europe measured by the eddy covariance technique. J. Geophys. Res. 103(D10): 11289–11301.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barr, A.G., King, K.M., Gillespie, T.J., den Hartog, G. and Neumann, H.H. 1994. A Comparison of Bowen ratio and eddy correlation sensible and latent heat flux measurements above deciduous forest. Boundary-Layer Meteor. 71: 21–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blanford, J.H. and Gay, L.W. 1992. Tests of a robust eddy correlation system for sensible heat flux. Theor. Appl. Clim. 46: 53–60.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blanken, P.D., Black, T.A., Yang, P.C., Newmann, H.H., Nesic, Z., Staebler, R., denHartog, G., Novak, M.D. and Lee, X. 1997. Energy balance and canopy conductance of a boreal aspen forest: partitioning overstory and understory components. J. Geophys. Res. 102(D4): 28915–28928.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bubier, J.L., Crill, P.M., Moore, T.R., Savage, K. and Varner, R.K. 1998. Seasonal patterns and controls on net ecosystem CO2 exchange in a boreal peatland complex. Global Biogeochem. Cycles 12(4): 703–714.

    Google Scholar 

  • Campeau, S. and Rochefort, L. 1996. Sphagnum regeneration on bare peat surface: field and greenhouse experiments. J. Appl. Ecol. 33: 599–608.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davidson, E.A., Verchot, L.V., Cattanio, J.H., Ackerman, I.L. and Carvalho, J.E.M. 2000. Effects of soil water content on soil respiration in forests and cattle pastures of eastern Amazonia. Biogeochemistry 48: 53–69.

    Google Scholar 

  • Doran, J.W., Mielke, I.N. and Power, J.F. 1991. Microbial activity as regulated by soil water-filled pore space. In: Ecology fo Soil Microorganisms in the Microhabital Environments, Transactions of the 14th International Congress of Soil Sciences Symposium III-3: pp. 94–99.

  • Environment Canada. 1993. Canadian Climate Normals, 1961– 1990. Québec. Atmospheric Environment Service, Canadian Climate Program, Environment Canada, Ottawa, Canada

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferland, C. and Rochefort, L. 1997. Restoration techniques for Sphagnum-dominated peatlands. Can. J. Botany 75(7): 1110–1118.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frolking, S.E., Bubier, J.L., Moore, T.R., Ball, T., Bellisario, L.M., Bhardwaj, A. et al. 1998. Relationship between ecosystem productivity and photosynthetically active radiation for northern peatlands. Global Biogeochem. Cycles 12(1): 115–126.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gerdol, R. 1995. The growth dynamics of Sphagnum based on field measurements in a temperate bog and on laboratory cultures. J. Ecol. 83: 431–437.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gorham, E. 1991. Northern peatlands: role in the carbon cycle and probable responses to climatic warming. Ecol. Appl. 1(2): 182–195.

    Google Scholar 

  • Griffis, T.J., Rouse, W.R. and Waddington, J.M. 2000. Scaling net ecosystem CO2 exchange from the community to landscapelevel at a subarctic fen. Global Change Biol. 6: 459–473.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ingram, H.A.P. 1978. Soil layers in mires: Function and terminology. J. Soil Sci. 29: 224–227.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keys, D. 1992. Canadian Peat Harvesting and the Environment. North American Wetlands Conservation Council Report No. 1992–93, Ottawa, Canada.

  • Kirschbaum, M.U.F. 1995. The temperature dependence of soil organic matter decomposition and the effect of global warming on soil organic C storage. Soil Biol. & Biochem. 27(6): 753–760.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lambers, H., Chapin, F.S. and Pons, T.L. 1998. Plant Physiological Ecology. Springer, New York, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lavoie, C. and Rochefort, L. 1996. The natural revegetation of a harvested peatland in southern Québec: a spatial and dendroecological analysis. Ecoscience 3: 101–111.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leuning, R. and Judd, M.J. 1996. The relative merits of open-and closed-path analyzers for measurement of eddy fluxes. Global Change Biol. 2: 241–253.

    Google Scholar 

  • LI-COR, Inc. 2000. LI-7500 CO2/H2O Analyzer Instruction Manual. LI-COR, Inc., Lincoln, Nebraska.

    Google Scholar 

  • Linn, D.M. and Doran, J.W. 1984. Effect of water-filled pore space on carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide production in tilled and nontilled soils. Soil Sci. Soc. Amer. J. 48: 1267–1272.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lloyd, C.R. 2001. The measurement and modelling of the carbon dioxide exchange at a high Arctic site in Svalbard. Global Change Biol. 7: 405–426.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mathes, K. and Shriefer, T. 1985. Soil respiration during secondary succession: influence of temperature and moisture. Soil Biol. & Biochem. 17(2): 205–211.

    Google Scholar 

  • Novak, M.D., Chen, W., Orchansky, A.L. and Ketler, R. 2000a. Turbulent exchange processes within and above a straw mulch. Part 1: mean wind speed and turbulent statistics. Agric. Forest Meteor. 102: 139–154.

    Google Scholar 

  • Novak, M.D., Chen, W., Orchansky, A.L. and Ketler, R. 2000b. Turbulent exchange processes within and above a straw mulch. Part 2: thermal and moisture regimes. Agric. Forest Meteor. 102: 155–171.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oechel, W.C. and Collins, N.J. 1976. Comparative CO2 exchange patterns in mosses from two tundra habitats at Barrow, Alaska. Can. J. Bot. 54: 1355–1369.

    Google Scholar 

  • Orchard, V.A. and Cook, F. 1983. Relationship between soil respiration and soil moisture. Soil Biol. & Biochem. 15: 447–453.

    Google Scholar 

  • Petrone, R.M., Waddington, J.M. and Price, J.S. 2001. Ecosystem scale evapotranspiration and net CO2 exchange from a restored peatland. Hydrol. Proc. 15: 2839–2845.

    Google Scholar 

  • Petrone, R.M., Price, J.S. and Waddington, J.M. In Prep. The Microclimate of a Restored Vacuum Harvested Peatland: The Effects of a Surface Mulch Cover on the Moisture and Thermal Dynamics of a Peat Soil. Target J. – J. Geophys. Res.

  • Price, J.S. 1996. Hydrology and microclimate of a partly restored cutover bog, Québec. Hydrol. Proc. 10: 1263–1272.

    Google Scholar 

  • Price, J.S. 1997. Soil moisture, water tension and water table relationships in a managed cutover bog. J. Hydrol. 202: 21–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Price, J.S. and Waddington, J.M. 2000. Advances in Canadian wetland hydrology and biogeochemistry. Hydrol. Proc. 14: 1579–1589.

    Google Scholar 

  • Price, J.S., Rochefort, L. and Quinty, F. 1998. Energy and moisture considerations on cutover peatlands: surface microtopography, mulch cover and Sphagnum regeneration. Ecol. Enging. 10: 293– 312.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rochefort, L. 2000. Sphagnum – A keystone genus in habitat restoration. The Bryologist 103: 503–508.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rochefort, L. and Vitt, D.H. 1988. Effects of simulated acid rain on Tomenthypnum nitens and Scorpidium scorpioides in a rich fen. The Bryologist 91: 121–129.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodriguez-Iturbe, I. 2000. Ecohydrology: a hydrologic perspective of climate-soil-vegetation dynamics. Water Res. Res. 36(1): 3–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schlotzhauer, S. and Price, J.S. 1999. Soil water flow dynamics in a managed cutover peat field, Quebec: Field and laboratory investigations. Water Resources Res. 35: 3675–3684.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaver, G.R., Johnson, L.C., Cades, D.H. et al. 1998. Biomass and CO2 flux in wet sedge tundras: responses to nutrients, temperature and light. Ecol. Monogr. 68(1): 75–97.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaver, G.R., Chapin, F.S. and Garter, B.L. 1986. Factors limiting seasonal growth and peak biomass accumulation in Eriophorum vaginatum in Alaskan tussock tundra. J. Ecol. 74: 257–258.

    Google Scholar 

  • Silvola, J., Alm, J., Ahlholm, U., Nykänen, H. and Martikainen, P.J. 1996. Fluxes from peat in boreal mires under varying temperature and moisture conditions. J. Ecol. 84(2): 219–228.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stewart, J.B. and Verma, S.B. 1992. Comparison of surface fluxes and conductances at two contrasting sites within the FIFE area. J. Geophys. Res. 97(D17): 18623–18638.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sveinbjornsson, B. and Oechel, W.C. 1983. The effect of temperature preconditioning on the temperature sensitivity of net CO2 flux in geographically diverse populations of the moss Polytrichum Commune. Ecology 64(5): 1100–1108.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tuittila, E-S., Komulainen, V.M., Vasander, H. and Laine, J. 1999. Restored cut-away peatland as a sink for atmospheric CO2. Oecologia 120: 563–574.

    Google Scholar 

  • Twine, T.E., Kustas, W.P., Norman, J.M., Cook, D.R., Houser, P.R., Meyers, T.P., Prueger, J.H., Starks, P.J. and Wesely, M.L. 2000. Correcting eddy-covariance flux underestimates over a grassland. Agric. Forest Meteor. 103: 279–300.

    Google Scholar 

  • Updegraff, K., Bridgham, S.D., Pastor, J. and Weishampel, P. 1998. Hysteresis in the temperature response of carbon dioxide and methane production in peat soils. Biogeochemistry 43: 253–272.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Seters, T.E. and Price, J.S. 2001. The impact of peat harvesting and natural regeneration on the water balance of an abandoned cutover bog, Québec. Hydrol. Proc. 15: 233–248.

    Google Scholar 

  • Waddington, J.M. and Price, J.S. 2000. Effect of peatland drainage, harvesting, and restoration on atmospheric water and carbon exchange. Phys. Geogr. 21(5): 433–451.

    Google Scholar 

  • Waddington, J.M., Griffis, T.J. and Rouse, W.R. 1998. Northern Canadian wetlands: net ecosystem CO2 exchange and climatic change. Clim. Change 40: 267–275.

    Google Scholar 

  • Waddington, J.M., Warner, K.D. and Kennedy, G.K. 2001. Cutover peatlands: A persistent source of atmospheric CO2. Global Biogeochem. Cycles, in press.

  • Waddington, J.M., Rochefort, L. and Campeau, S. Submitted. Sphagnum production and decomposition in restored peatlands. Wetl. Ecol. Manag.

  • Webb, E.K., Pearman, G.I. and Leuning, R. 1980. Correction of flux measurements for density effects due to heat and water vapour transfer. Quart. J. Meteor. Soc. 106: 85–100.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yavitt, J.B., Lang, G.E. and Wieder, R.K. 1987. Control of carbon mineralization to CH4and CO2 in anaerobic, Sphagnum-derived peat from Big Run Bog,West Virginia. Biogeochemistry 4: 141–157.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Wilfrid Laurier University, 75 University Ave West, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, N2L 3C5

    Richard M. Petrone

  2. School of Geography & Geology, McMaster University, 1280 Main St. West, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, L8S 4K7

    J.M. Waddington

  3. Wetlands Research Centre and Department of Geography, University of Waterloo, Canada

    Jonathan S. Price

Authors
  1. Richard M. Petrone
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J.M. Waddington
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jonathan S. Price
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Richard M. Petrone.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Petrone, R.M., Waddington, J. & Price, J.S. Ecosystem-scale flux of CO2 from a restored vacuum harvested peatland. Wetlands Ecology and Management 11, 419–432 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:WETL.0000007192.78408.62

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:WETL.0000007192.78408.62

  • carbon dioxide
  • eddy correlation
  • evapotranspiration
  • peatland
  • restoration