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Rewetting of a cutover peatland: Hydrologic assessment

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Abstract

Exploitation of peatlands results in the degradation of hydrophysical conditions suitable for the re-establishment of peat-forming vegetation, notablySphagnum mosses. Regeneration of peat-forming mosses necessitates a high and stable water table. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of open water reservoirs constructed to improve the hydrologic conditions required for growth ofSphagnum. A section of abandoned peatland, where former drainage ditches have been blocked, was treated by excavating reservoir ditches at 3-, 5-, and 8-m intervals to increase the local water storage. The colonization ofSphagnum fuscum andS. angustifolium diaspores scattered on the experimental baulks between the reservoir ditches was measured. Results indicate that water storage increased at the experimental site. The water table was higher and more stable, with an average maximum depth of 0.46 m at the rewetted site compared to 0.55 m at the control site. The volumetric moisture content of the surface peat was improved by rewetting, showing an average of 62% compared to 55% at the control site. Negative soil water tension at the −0.1 m depth was ameliorated at the experimental sites and nearly eliminated where 5-m experimental ditch-reservoir spacing was employed.Sphagnum establishment was successful on all experimental baulks, showing a higher percentage cover where soil moisture was more readily available.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Département de Phytologie Centre d’Études Nordiques, Université Laval, G1K 7P4, Ste-Foy, Québec

    Sylvie LaRose & Line Rochefort

  2. Geography Department Wetlands Research Centre, University of Waterloo, N2L 3G1, Waterloo, Ontario

    Jonathan Price

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  1. Sylvie LaRose
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  2. Jonathan Price
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  3. Line Rochefort
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LaRose, S., Price, J. & Rochefort, L. Rewetting of a cutover peatland: Hydrologic assessment. Wetlands 17, 416–423 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03161431

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03161431

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