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

Calculating carbon changes in peat soils drained for forestry with four different profile-based methods

Jan Paul Krüger, Christine Alewell, Kari Minkkinen, Sönke Szidat, Jens Leifeld

Forest Ecology and Management · 2016

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Summary

This 2016 paper presents a benchmarking analysis of four profile-based methods for measuring carbon changes in peat soils following drainage for forestry management. By evaluating methodological consistency and applicability across these approaches, the authors contribute to standardised carbon accounting protocols for drained peatland systems—a significant gap in forestry carbon accounting. The work supports improved greenhouse gas reporting and carbon dynamics understanding in this managed land-use category.

UK applicability

The United Kingdom has extensive peatland areas, including some managed for forestry, particularly in Scotland and Northern England. Standardised measurement methods for carbon changes in drained peatlands are directly applicable to UK forestry policy and carbon reporting obligations under climate commitments.

Key measures

Carbon stock changes quantified using four different profile-based calculation methods applied to drained peatland forest soils

Outcomes reported

The study evaluated and compared four profile-based methodological approaches for quantifying carbon stock changes in peat soils managed for forestry after drainage. The authors assessed the consistency, applicability, and reliability of these methods as a basis for improved carbon accounting protocols.

Theme
Climate & resilience
Subject
Climate & greenhouse gas mitigation
Study type
Research
Study design
Methodological comparison / Field trial
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
International
System type
Agroforestry
DOI
10.1016/j.foreco.2016.09.006
Catalogue ID
BFmowc29uu-ywdpey

Topic tags

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