Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 3 — Observational / field trialPeer-reviewed

Soil carbon loss from drained agricultural peatland after coverage with mineral soil

Yuqiao Wang, Sonja Paul, Markus Jocher, Christophe Espic, Christine Alewell, Sönke Szidat, Jens Leifeld

The Science of The Total Environment · 2021

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Summary

This study investigates carbon losses from agriculturally drained peatland soils that have been overlaid with mineral soil—a management practice employed to improve trafficability and reduce subsidence. The authors quantified soil carbon loss and associated greenhouse gas emissions under these conditions, as suggested by the title and journal focus. The work contributes to understanding whether mineral soil coverage effectively mitigates carbon release from managed peatland systems.

UK applicability

The United Kingdom has extensive managed peatland used for agriculture, particularly in lowland areas of England and the Midlands. These findings are directly relevant to UK farming practice and policy regarding peatland management, soil carbon accounting, and climate mitigation targets.

Key measures

Soil carbon loss rates, carbon dioxide emissions, peatland carbon dynamics under mineral soil coverage

Outcomes reported

The study measured soil carbon loss rates and carbon dioxide emissions from drained peatland agricultural soils that have been covered with mineral soil material. As suggested by the title, the research quantified how this management practice affects long-term carbon storage and greenhouse gas release.

Theme
Farming systems, soils & land use
Subject
Soil carbon & organic matter
Study type
Research
Study design
Field trial
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
Switzerland
System type
Arable cereals
DOI
10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149498
Catalogue ID
BFmovbmg6s-dk4mn0

Topic tags

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