Summary
This study examined soil organic matter stoichiometry across 48 Swiss peatland sites under four land-use types to assess degradation indicators. Soil organic matter content and C/N ratio proved most sensitive to land-use conversion, with cropland showing the lowest organic matter, followed by grassland, forest, and natural peatland. The findings suggest agriculture induces pronounced peat degradation accompanied by very high nitrogen mobilisation from decomposed topsoil.
UK applicability
The UK contains significant peatland resources, particularly in Scotland and the Pennines, often under similar agricultural and forestry pressures. These stoichiometric indicators could inform UK peatland restoration and carbon audit priorities, though site-specific calibration would be needed for British peat types and climates.
Key measures
Organic carbon content, soil nitrogen, hydrogen, oxygen, C/N ratios, H/C ratios, O/C ratios, soil organic matter oxidation states, bulk organic matter content
Outcomes reported
The study measured organic carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, and oxygen content across 1,310 soil samples from 48 sites under different land uses, and evaluated how soil organic matter stoichiometry varies with land degradation. Soil organic matter content and C/N ratio were identified as the most sensitive indicators of peatland degradation across cropland, grassland, forest, and natural peatland systems.
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