AFFORESTATION AS A TYPE OF PEATLAND RECULTIVATION AND ASSESSMENT OF ITS AFFECTING FACTORS IN THE REDUCTION OF GHG EMISSIONS

Abstract

Peatlands play a significant role in the regulation of greenhouse gasses (GHG) by sequestrating carbon from the atmosphere. Unsustainable peat extraction can lead to an increase in GHG emissions. It is important to recultivate the peatland after the extraction of peat so that it does not become an emitter but remains a carbon sink and sequestrator. One of the most effective and suitable types of recultivation in Latvia that also has a positive effect on GHG circulation is afforestation.

The aim of the study is to describe afforestation as a type of recultivation and to evaluate its influencing factors in the reduction of GHG emissions in peatlands.

The study analyzed the data obtained in the LIFE REstore project which contains measurements of the three main GHGs (CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O) and the factors affecting them. The results show that in afforested areas the closest correlation with the amount of emitted CO₂ out of all the analyzed factors is formed by soil temperature. As it increases, so do the CO₂ emissions. As the depth of soil increases, the correlation between temperature and CO₂ emissions becomes closer. In the study areas, regularities that would directly explain the relatively low amount of GHG emissions in the afforested areas were not found among the analyzed quantitative factors.