Reconciling commercial exploitation of peat with biodiversity in peatland ecosystems (RECIPE).

Abstract

After a peatland has been harvested, the remaining bare surfaces are often difficult to restore to a functional peat accumulating system. Recolonisation by typical bog vegetation is a first step in this process, but is often problematic due to the changed physico-chemical, hydrological and ecological properties of the remaining peat. Within RECIPE, a European Union Framework 5 initiative, we have aimed to identify those combinations of site physico-chemical conditions, vegetation composition and below-ground microbiological characteristics that are beneficial to the long-term regeneration of cut-over peatland biodiversity and restoration of the carbon sink function. The first experimental phase of this project entailed a baseline study of cut-over peatlands at various stages in the regeneration process in five European countries. We present here the relationships of various soil processes with these regeneration stages and discuss these data in the context of both current management practices and future options for peatland management, taking into account feasibility and overall socio-economic effects