Summary
This field study demonstrates that mineral soil coverage of drained agricultural peatland substantially reduces nitrous oxide emissions, a potent greenhouse gas. Over two years on an intensively managed Swiss grassland, the mineral-covered site emitted 2.3 ± 0.4 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ N₂O-N compared to 20.5 ± 2.7 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ from the uncovered reference site—an 89% reduction. The findings suggest that mineral soil coverage could serve as an effective peatland management practice to simultaneously sustain agricultural productivity and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
UK applicability
The UK manages substantial areas of lowland agricultural peatland, particularly in East Anglia, the Somerset Levels, and parts of northern England and Scotland. These results are directly relevant to UK peatland management policy and may inform future guidance on balancing agricultural productivity with climate mitigation objectives, though local soil conditions, hydrology, and management intensity should be evaluated for each site.
Key measures
Annual nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions in kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹; fertiliser-induced N₂O peaks; background N₂O emissions; monitoring duration and frequency
Outcomes reported
The study measured nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from a drained peatland grassland over two years, comparing an uncovered reference site with a site covered by approximately 40 cm of mineral soil. N₂O emissions were quantified using an automatic time-integrating chamber system under intensive grassland management with high nitrogen fertilisation.
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