Peatland afforestation in the UK and consequences for carbon storage
Article
Sloan, T.J., Payne, R.J., Anderson, A.R., Bain, C., Chapman, S., Cowie, N., Gilbert, P., Lindsay, R., Mauquoy, D., Newton, A.J. and Andersen, R. 2018. Peatland afforestation in the UK and consequences for carbon storage. Mires and Peat. 23 (1), pp. 1-17. https://doi.org/10.19189/MaP.2017.OMB.315
Authors | Sloan, T.J., Payne, R.J., Anderson, A.R., Bain, C., Chapman, S., Cowie, N., Gilbert, P., Lindsay, R., Mauquoy, D., Newton, A.J. and Andersen, R. |
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Abstract | Peatlands are a globally significant store of carbon. During the second half of the 20th century new planting techniques combined with tax incentives encouraged commercial forestry across large areas of peat bog in the UK, particularly in the Flow Country of northern Scotland. Such planting was controversial and was ultimately halted by removal of the tax incentives, and policies to prevent new planting. Here we review the literature on UK peatland afforestation in relation to carbon and climate implications, and identify key issues for future research. The effects of conifer planting on peat bog carbon storage in the UK are poorly understood. A large body of research on peatland forestry exists, particularly from naturally forested fen peatlands in Fennoscandia and Russia, but the different conditions in the UK mean that results are not directly transferable. Data on the responses of UK peat bogs to afforestation are required to address this shortfall. Studies are required that quantify the loss of carbon from the peat and evaluate it against the accumulation of carbon above and below ground in trees, considering the likely residence time of carbon in wood products. |
Journal | Mires and Peat |
Journal citation | 23 (1), pp. 1-17 |
ISSN | 1819-754X |
Year | 2018 |
Publisher | International Mire Conservation Group and International Peat Society |
Publisher's version | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.19189/MaP.2017.OMB.315 |
Web address (URL) | https://doi.org/10.19189/MaP.2017.OMB.315 |
Publication dates | |
Online | 19 Oct 2018 |
Publication process dates | |
Deposited | 22 Oct 2018 |
Accepted | 11 Jun 2018 |
Accepted | 11 Jun 2018 |
Funder | The Leverhulme Trust |
British Ecological Society | |
Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland | |
Copyright information | © 2018 International Mire Conservation Group and International Peat Society. Articles may be freely downloaded from the Journal's web site and printed by individuals for personal use. They may not be altered in any way, and they may not be offered for sale. |
License | All rights reserved |
https://repository.uel.ac.uk/item/8463w
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