Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/R009805/1
Creating sustainable forested peatlands.
Training Grant Award
- Lead Supervisor:
- Dr S Toet, University of York, Environment
- Grant held at:
- University of York, Environment
- Science Area:
- Atmospheric
- Freshwater
- Terrestrial
- Overall Classification:
- Terrestrial
- ENRIs:
- Biodiversity
- Global Change
- Natural Resource Management
- Science Topics:
- Soil management
- Soil science
- Carbon cycling
- Biogeochemical Cycles
- Peat
- Soil science
- Abstract:
- Peatlands are the largest terrestrial carbon store by area. Despite covering only 2-3% of the global land surface they store more than half as much carbon as the entire atmosphere [1]. Comparatively small changes to this store of carbon have the potential for large climatic consequences [1]. While pristine peatlands are long-term sinks for carbon, damaged peatlands can be significant carbon sources [2]. Peatlands also host a unique specialised biota which is closely tied to their carbon sink function; this biodiversity is similarly threatened by anthropogenic impacts [2]. In the UK one of the most extensive ways peatlands have been damaged is by planting non-native conifer trees, with around 20% of peatlands afforested. Trees were planted for many reasons: to increase timber production, reduce reliance on imports, make use of "wasteland" and encourage rural employment [3]. Into the 1980s tax incentives encouraged afforestation and many plantations were developed with little thought to ecological impacts or even long-term viability. It is now widely accepted that peatland afforestation is a threat to biodiversity and the peat carbon stock. Drainage and evapotranspiration from the forest canopy lower the water table and increase aerobic respiration which is further enhanced by fertilizer addition. Ditches and plough furrows increase the flushing of dissolved and particulate carbon. Shading and water table drawdown lead to the loss of the ecosystem engineer species -Sphagnum moss- and cascading impacts on biodiversity. New planting of trees on deep peat is now not permitted[3] but the key question is: what should we do with the plantations we already have? There is currently considerable interest in peatland restoration but financial, practical and political barriers mean that restoring all of the UK's afforested peatlands is unlikely to be feasible. An important policy obstacle is that widespread removal of trees from peatlands conflicts with national and transnational targets to increase overall woodland cover (to 12% by 2060 [4]). Partly as a means of addressing this conflict, recent forestry policy advocates the creation of "peatland edge woodland" with low density tree planting which avoids net carbon loss while maintaining biodiversity [5], perhaps modelled on naturally forested bogs (a conservation priority habitat). However there is considerable uncertainty about how such woodland can be established and maintained. This project aims to define the threshold conditions which lead to peatland degradation with afforestation and identify how peatland edge woodland can be successfully established while retaining crucial ecosystem services. To address this topic we will take a multi-parameter approach focusing on carbon stocks, carbon fluxes and plant biodiversity. Campaign-based measurements will be conducted in pilot peatland edge woodland creation schemes, in areas where natural regeneration creates a gradient in tree stem density and in naturally forested bogs. The project will build on two recent technological advances at York: a novel automated gas flux measurement system and a new approach to carbon stock comparison based on rapid-identification of cryptotephra layers. Our project is a collaboration between three academic researchers and Forest Research, the government body responsible for advising policy-makers on the future of forestry in the UK. Through jointly supervising a PhD student we intend to provide a robust evidence base for policy development. By working closely together in designing, implementing and communicating the results of this study we intend to maximise the value and impact of our research. [1] Dise 2009 Science 326 810-811 [2] Bain et al 2011 Commission of Enquiry on Peatlands, IUCN [3] Anderson 2000 FC Guideline Note 1 [4] DEFRA 2013 Government forestry and woodlands policy statement [5] FCS 2015 Deciding future management options for afforested deep peatland
- NERC Reference:
- NE/R009805/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Doctoral Training
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- NPIF Allocation
This training grant award has a total value of £88,293
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - Fees | Total - RTSG | Total - Student Stipend |
|---|---|---|
| £17,295 | £11,000 | £59,998 |
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