Karola Toth

Abstract

ABSTRACT The effects of restoration on dissolved organic carbon (DOC) dynamics were examined at the Boi~-des-Bel peatland. This study included both laboratory measurements of DOC production by different peatland vegetative components and field measurements of DOC dynamics within a recently restored, a cutover and a natural peatland. Shrub and herbaceous plant material were found to be the most significant producers of DOC in the short term. Moss, peat and straw samples had a high potential to release DOC ;;ontinuously under warm, moist and aerobic conditions. On a short timescale, all components have the potential to release the three dissolved organic matter (DOM) fractions examined with humic acid (HA) most prominently being produced by shrubs and herbaceous plants and hydrophilic (HPI) and hydrophobic (HPO) fractions by mosses, peat and straw. Comparison of growing season results over three study years at the restored and cutover site indicated that DOC concentrations increased after restoration while DOC export decreased due to lowered runoff caused by the blockage of drainage ditches. Compared to the natural peatland, both the restored and the cutover site had a more humic DOM character. No difference could be found between the character of DOM released from the restored and cutover sites. The most active layer of DOM production was the top 75 em where the water iii table fluctuated during the season. Water storage units such as pools and ditches also play an important role in DOM export from the site. Spring snowmelt was found to be the most significant DOC export event of the study season in 2001, when export values were significantly larger than those measured during the growing season. Solubility of the different DOM fractions was the main controlling factor on the DOM character seen at the outflows. Storm events contributed significantly to the summer DOC output. DOC dynamics were affected by antecedent moisture conditions and differences emerged between the restored and cutover site during this period. The results of this study emphasize the importance of managing water table fluctuations and the restoration (reestablishment) of Sphagnum species in order to improve the retention of DOM within cutover peatlands.