Summary
This two-year field study in Switzerland demonstrates that covering drained agricultural peatland with approximately 40 cm of mineral soil dramatically reduces N₂O emissions from intensively managed grassland. The covered site emitted only 2.3 ± 0.4 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ N₂O-N compared to 20.5 ± 2.7 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ at the uncovered reference site, representing a >88% reduction. Both fertilisation-induced peaks and background emissions were substantially lower with mineral soil coverage, suggesting a sustained mitigation effect for this peatland management practice.
UK applicability
These findings are relevant to the United Kingdom, which has extensive lowland peatlands in agricultural use, particularly in East Anglia, the Midlands, and parts of Scotland and Wales. Mineral soil coverage could represent a practical on-farm mitigation strategy for reducing agricultural greenhouse gas emissions from drained peatlands whilst maintaining productivity, though UK-specific validation under local soil, climatic and management conditions would strengthen implementation guidance.
Key measures
Annual nitrous oxide (N₂O-N) emissions in kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹; peak N₂O emissions following fertiliser application; background N₂O emission rates
Outcomes reported
The study quantified N₂O emissions from an intensively managed grassland on drained nutrient-rich fen in Switzerland over two years, comparing emissions from an uncovered reference site versus a site covered with approximately 40 cm of mineral soil. N₂O emissions were continuously monitored using an automatic time-integrating chamber system.
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