Water quality effects of peat rewetting and leftover conifer brash, following peatland restoration and tree harvesting.

Harvesting of plantation conifers on peatlands is carried out as part of restoration and forestry operations. In particular, in the UK and Ireland, conifer plantations on drained ombrotrophic blanket and raised bogs are increasingly being removed (by harvesting), along with blocking of drainage ditches to help raise water tables to reinitiate and restore bog vegetation and function. However, both tree harvesting and peatland restoration operations can have significant impacts on water quality at local and catchment scales. Previous research has suggested that leaching from leftover decomposing brash (tree tops and branches, including wood and needles) is the primary cause, while other work has suggested that release from rewetted peat also contributes to water quality changes. This research investigates the relative importance of peat rewetting, needles and branches on water quality using mesocosm experiments, to help elucidate the mechanisms behind water quality changes following restoration and harvesting operations. Peat and brash were collected from a drained afforested blanket bog in the Flow Country, Scotland. Short-term mesocosm experiments were conducted by incubating peat, peat + needles and peat + needles + branches with rainwater in quadruplicate. Brash from Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) was investigated separately, while we also conducted experiments with fresh and aged (∼18 months) brash. Peat, needles and branches all significantly impacted water quality in the order of branches > needles > peat, while concentrations of DOC, PO43-, NH4+, K and Mn were most impacted. Water quality impacts of spruce brash appeared generally greater than pine, while fresh brash had larger effects than aged brash. In our mesocosms, relative contributions to water quality changes were estimated by elemental yields. On average, peat contributed 25.4% (range 0.6-72.3%), while needles and brash contributed 19.7% (range 3.0-37.0%) and 54.9% (range 22.1-70.2%) to yields, respectively. We further estimate that 267 kg C ha-1 (255.8 kg as DOC, 10.7 kg as DIC), 27.4 kg K ha-1, 5.8 kg P ha-1 (as PO43-) and 0.5 kg N ha-1 (as NH4+) could be released from brash, over nine days.

Source, preservation and re-suspension of 239,240Pu in a well dated peat core collected from northwest China.

Owning to the high radiotoxicity in high concentrations, as well as the irreplaceability in quantifying soil erosion rates, demarcating the Anthropocene, and dating of sediment, anthropogenic 239,240Pu have drawn high attention. However, the source in specific areas, preservation characteristics in different environment media, and re-distribution process after the cessation of atmospheric nuclear weapons tests, have not been fully understood, which obscures the exact start year, temporal variation, and deposition flux of 239,240Pu in sedimentary records, and hinders the wide application of 239,240Pu in environment study. A sediment core from the Yiwu peat bog with dominance of atmospheric deposition in the source material, simple sedimentary environment, and high dust deposition flux, was collected to examine the 239,240Pu, and explore the source, preservation, and re-distribution process. The double peaks of 239,240Pu in 1952 CE and 1963 CE, as well as 240Pu/239Pu ratios of 0.163-0.190 with an average of 0.177 ± 0.010 confirmed that the 239,240Pu source originated predominantly from global fallout. The minimal vertical migration of plutonium in the Yiwu peat core was attributed to the near-neutral pH condition. The high inventory of 128 ± 7 Bq m-2, as well as the atypical negative correlation between 239,240Pu concentrations and organic matter content (r = - 0.79, P < 0.01), was attributed to the contribution of 239,240Pu re-suspended with dust from the neighboring Gobi Desert, particularly in the cold and dry years. The total re-suspended 239,240Pu was estimated to be 77 Bq m-2, exceeding the direct fallout level of 51 Bq m-2 during 1945-2016 CE. In this study, the specified deposition pattern of 239,240Pu after the cessation of atmospheric nuclear weapons was established, providing an important standard for multiple environmental studies, and the re-suspended amount of 239,240Pu in a typical arid area was quantified for the first time.

Hydrological variability of middle European peatland during the Holocene, inferred from subfossil bog pine and bog oak dendrochronology and high-resolution peat multiproxy analysis of the Budwity peatland (northern Poland).

Subfossil pine and oak tree trunks were excavated during exploitation of the Budwity peatland in Northern Poland. Based on dendrochronological analysis, the woodland successions in peatland were reconstructed and correlated with moisture dynamics of the peatland ecosystem inferred from the high-resolution multi-proxy analysis of the peatland deposits. From the results of dendrochronological analysis and the 14C wiggle matching methods, four floating pine chronologies (5882-5595; 5250-5089; 3702-3546; and 2222-1979 mod. cal BP) and two oak chronologies (4932-4599 and 4042-3726 mod. cal BP) were developed. The organic sediments of the peatland (6 m thick) were deposited over approximately nine thousand years. The lower complex (525-315 cm) comprises minerogenic peat, while the upper complex (315.0-0.0 cm) is composed of ombrogenic peat. Subfossil tree trunks are distributed across various peat horizons, which suggests multiple stages of tree colonisation followed by subsequent dying-off phases. Multiproxy sediment analyses (lithological, geochemical and δ13C stable isotope, pollen, plant macrofossils, Cladocera, diatom, and Diptera analyses) indicate that the two earliest phases of pine colonisation (5882-5595 and 5250-5089 mod. cal BP) and the two stages of oak colonisation (4932-4599 and 4042-3726 mod. cal BP) were associated with periodic drying of the peatland. Conversely, tree dying-off phases occurred during periods of increased water levels in the peatland, coinciding with stages of increasing climate humidity during the Holocene. The two most recent phases of pine colonisation occurred during the ombrogenic stage of mire development. Remnants of the dead forest from these phases, marked by subfossil trunks still rooted in the ground, were preserved and exposed presently during peat exploitation, approximately 2.5 m below ground level. The identified phases of tree colonisation and subsequent dying-off phases show correlation with analogical phenomena observed in the other investigated European peatlands.

We know very little about pollination in the Platanthera Rich (Orchidaceae: Orchidoideae).

The Platanthera Rich. (Orchidoideae) comprise a speciose genus of orchids primarily in the northern hemisphere, with up to 200 known species worldwide. Individual species are known to self-pollinate, but many rely on insect pollinators with characteristics such as floral color, timing of floral odor emissions, nectar rewards, and spur length associated with particular pollination syndromes. As with many orchids, some orchid-pollinator associations are likely highly co-evolved, but we also know that some Platanthera spp. are the result of hybridization events, which implies a lack of pollinator fidelity in some cases. Some Platanthera spp. occur in large numbers which, coupled with the numerous Platanthera-pollinator systems, make them accessible as study species and useful for co-evolutionary studies. Due to the likely effects of climate change and ongoing development on Platanthera spp. habitats, these orchids and their associated pollinators should be a focus of conservation attention and management. However, while there is a fairly substantial literature coverage of Platanthera-pollinator occurrence and interactions, there are still wide gaps in our understanding of the species involved in these systems. In this systematic review, we outline what is current knowledge and provide guidance on further research that will increase our understanding of orchid-insect co-evolutionary relationships. Our review covers 157 orchid species and about 233 pollinator species interacting with 30 Platanthera spp. We provide analyses on aspects of these interactions such as flower morphology, known insect partners of Platanthera species, insect-Platanthera specificity, pollination visitor timing (diurnal vs. nocturnal), floral rewards, and insect behavior affecting pollination outcomes (e.g., pollinia placement). A substantial number of Platanthera spp. and at least a few of their known pollinators are of official (IUCN) conservation concern - and many of their pollinators remain unassessed or even currently unknown - which adds to the urgency of further research on these co-evolved relationships.

Vaccinium uliginosum L. (bog bilberry) and the search for its alleged toxicity: a review.

Bog bilberry (Vaccinium uliginosum L.) is a wild-growing berry native to all circumboreal regions. There is however a significant discrepancy in the uses of bog bilberry fruits around the world. There exists a strong prejudice against the use of these berries in many European countries as well as a few incidences of poisoning reported between 1906 and 1944. In Asia and North America, this fear is completely absent from the local knowledge and the bog bilberry is valued as an excellent food and medicinal plant. There has been a lack of research on the topic in the last 50 years and thus the presumed toxicity remains unproven. This review aims to gather the conflicting information from all regions where bog bilberry grows and present them in a critical way to elucidate the possible explanations for the discrepancies. There are several possible explanations for the alleged toxicity of the bog bilberry, including a fungal infection of the fruits, individual intolerance or accidental poisoning by a different plant species; the local names meaning "drunk, inebriating, vomit-inducing berry" may be related to the alcoholic drinks made from them. This review highlights the gap in knowledge and serves as a theoretical framework for future research.

Characterization of the Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of Bog Bilberry (Vaccinium uliginosum L.) Leaf Extracts Obtained via Various Extraction Techniques.

This investigation aimed to assess the chemical composition and biological activities of bog bilberry (Vaccinium uliginosum L.) leaves. Hydroethanolic extracts were obtained using four extraction techniques: one conventional (CE) and three alternative methods; ultrasound (UAE), microwave (MAE) and high-pressure (HPE) extractions. Spectrophotometric analysis was conducted to determine their chemical content, including the total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC). Furthermore, their antioxidative and antimicrobial properties were evaluated. HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography) analysis identified and quantified 17 phenolic compounds, with chlorogenic acid being the predominant compound, with the lowest level (37.36 ± 0.06 mg/g) for the bog bilberry leaf extract obtained by CE and the highest levels (e.g., HPE = 44.47 ± 0.08 mg/g) for the bog bilberry leaf extracts obtained by the alternative methods. Extracts obtained by HPE, UAE and MAE presented TPC values (135.75 ± 2.86 mg GAE/g; 130.52 ± 1.99 mg GAE/g; 119.23 ± 1.79 mg GAE/g) higher than those obtained by the CE method (113.07 ± 0.98 mg GAE/g). Regarding the TFC values, similar to TPC, the highest levels were registered in the extracts obtained by alternative methods (HPE = 43.16 ± 0.12 mg QE/g; MAE = 39.79 ± 0.41 mg QE/g and UAE = 33.89 ± 0.35 mg QE/g), while the CE extract registered the lowest level, 31.47 ± 0.28 mg QE/g. In the case of DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) antioxidant activity, the extracts from HPE, UAE and MAE exhibited the strongest radical scavenging capacities of 71.14%, 63.13% and 60.84%, respectively, whereas the CE extract registered only 55.37%. According to Microbiology Reader LogPhase 600 (BioTek), a common MIC value of 8.88 mg/mL was registered for all types of extracts against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive bacteria) and Salmonella enterica (Gram-negative bacteria). Moreover, the alternative extraction methods (UAE, HPE) effectively inhibited the growth of Candida parapsilosis, in comparison to the lack of inhibition from the CE method. This study provides valuable insights into bog bilberry leaf extracts, reporting a comprehensive evaluation of their chemical composition and associated biological activities, with alternative extraction methods presenting greater potential for the recovery of phenolic compounds with increased biological activities than the conventional method.

Application of a GIS-Based Hydrological Model to Predict Surface Wetness of Blanket Bogs.

Understanding hydrological processes operating on relatively intact blanket bogs provides a scientific basis for establishing achievable restoration targets for damaged sites. A GIS-based hydrological model, developed to assess restoration potential of Irish raised bogs, was adapted and applied to four relatively intact blanket bogs in Ireland. The Modified Flow Accumulation Capacity (MFAC) model utilised high-resolution topographic data to predict surface wetness, based on climatic conditions, contributing catchment and local surface slope. Modifications to MFAC parameters aimed to account for differences in hydrological processes between raised bogs and blanket bogs. Application of a climatic correction factor accounted for variations in effective rainfall between the four study sites, while monitoring of water table levels indicated a log-linear relationship between MFAC values and summer water table levels and range of water table fluctuations. Deviations from the observed relationship between MFAC and water table levels were associated with hydrological pressures, such as artificial drainage or the occurrence of subsurface macropores (peat pipes), which further lowered summer water tables. Despite being effective as a predictor of relative surface wetness, the relationship between MFAC and ecological variables such as Sphagnum spp. cover proved poor, pointing to the impact of past activities and damage caused by anthropogenic pressures. Findings demonstrated MFAC as an effective tool in predicting surface wetness within blanket bog-covered landscapes, thus proving useful to peatland practitioners in planning and prioritising areas for restoration. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13157-023-01765-5.

Vaccinium uliginosum and Vaccinium myrtillus-Two Species-One Used as a Functional Food.

Vaccinium uliginosum L. (commonly known as bog bilberry) and Vaccinium myrtillus L. (commonly known as bilberry) are species of the genus Vaccinium (family Ericaceae). The red-purple-blue coloration of blueberries is attributed largely to the anthocyanins found in bilberries. Anthocyanins, known for their potent biological activity as antioxidants, have a significant involvement in the prophylaxis of cancer or other diseases, including those of metabolic origin. Bilberry is the most important economically wild berry in Northern Europe, and it is also extensively used in juice and food production. A review of the latest literature was performed to assess the composition and biological activity of V. uliginosum and V. myrtillus. Clinical studies confirm the benefits of V. uliginosum and V. myrtillus supplementation as part of a healthy diet. Because of their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and apoptosis-reducing activity, both bog bilberries and bilberries can be used interchangeably as a dietary supplement with anti-free radical actions in the prevention of cancer diseases and cataracts, or as a component of sunscreen preparations.

Shading contributes to Sphagnum decline in response to warming.

Experimental warming of an ombrotrophic bog in northern Minnesota has caused a rapid decline in the productivity and areal cover of Sphagnum mosses, affecting whole-ecosystem carbon balance and biogeochemistry. Direct effects of elevated temperature and the attendant drying are most likely the primary cause of the effects on Sphagnum, but there may also be responses to the increased shading from shrubs, which increased with increasing temperature. To evaluate the independent effects of reduction in light availability and deposition of shrub litter on Sphagnum productivity, small plots with shrubs removed were laid out adjacent to the warming experiment on hummocks and hollows in three blocks and with five levels of shading. Four plots were covered with neutral density shade cloth to simulate shading from shrubs of 30%-90% reduction in light; one plot was left open. Growth of Sphagnum angustifolium/fallax and S. divinum declined linearly with increasing shade in hollows, but there was no response to shade on hummocks, where higher irradiance in the open plots may have been inhibitory. Shading caused etiolation of Sphagnum-they were thin and spindly under the deepest shade. A dense mat of shrub litter, corresponding to the amount of shrub litter produced in response to warming, did not inhibit Sphagnum growth or cause increases in potentially toxic base cations. CO2 exchange and chlorophyll-a fluorescence of S. angustifolium/fallax from the 30% and 90% shade cloth plots were measured in the laboratory. Light response curves indicate that maximal light saturated photosynthesis was 42% greater for S. angustifolium/fallax grown under 30% shade cloth relative to plants grown under 90% shade cloth. The response of Sphagnum growth in response to increasing shade is consistent with the hypothesis that increased shade resulting from shrub expansion in response to experimental warming contributed to reduced Sphagnum growth.

Peculiarities of the Variation of Biologically Active Compounds in Fruit of Vaccinium oxycoccos L. Growing in the Cepkeliai State Strict Nature Reserve.

This study was carried out to analyze the accumulation patterns of anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, flavonols, chlorogenic acid, and triterpene compounds in fruit samples of Vaccinium oxycoccos L. berries growing in the Cepkeliai State Strict Nature Reserve in Lithuania. Studies were carried out on the phytochemical composition of cranberry fruit samples during the period of 2020-2022. Anthocyanins, flavonols, chlorogenic acid and triterpene compounds were identified and quantified using UPLC-DAD methods, and proanthocyanins were determined using spectrophotometric methods. The content of identified compounds varied, as reflected in the total amounts of anthocyanins (710.3 ± 40 µg/g to 6993.8 ± 119 µg/g), proanthocyanidins (378.4 ± 10 µg EE/g to 3557. 3 ± 75 µg EE/g), flavonols (479.6 ± 9 µg/g to 7291.2 ± 226 µg/g), chlorogenic acid (68.0 ± 1 µg/g to 3858.2 ± 119 µg/g), and triterpenoids (3780.8 ± 98 µg/g to 7226.9 ± 224 µg/g). Cranberry fruit samples harvested from open oligotrophic wetland habitats contained higher levels of anthocyanins, anthocyanidins, flavonol glycosides, and proanthocyanidins. The highest levels of triterpene compounds were found in the cranberry fruits harvested in the spring of the following year after the snowmelt. The use of principal component analysis showed that cranberry plant material harvested in October and November had higher levels of bioactive compounds.

Comparison of carbon and nitrogen accumulation rate between bog and fen phases in a pristine peatland with the fen-bog transition.

Long-term carbon and nitrogen dynamics in peatlands are affected by both vegetation production and decomposition processes. Here, we examined the carbon accumulation rate (CAR), nitrogen accumulation rate (NAR) and δ13 C, δ15 N of plant residuals in a peat core dated back to ~8500 cal year BP in a temperate peatland in Northeast China. Impacted by the tephra during 1160 and 789 cal year BP and climate change, the peatland changed from a fen dominated by vascular plants to a bog dominated by Sphagnum mosses. We used the Clymo model to quantify peat addition rate and decay constant for acrotelm and catotelm layers during both bog and fen phases. Our studied peatland was dominated by Sphagnum fuscum during the bog phase (789 to -59 cal year BP) and lower accumulation rates in the acrotelm layer was found during this phase, suggesting the dominant role of volcanic eruption in the CAR of the peat core. Both mean CAR and NAR were higher during the bog phase than during the fen phase in our study, consistent with the results of the only one similar study in the literature. Because the input rate of organic matter was considered to be lower during the bog phase, the decomposition process must have been much lower during the bog phase than during the fen phase and potentially controlled CAR and NAR. During the fen phase, CAR was also lower under higher temperature and summer insolation, conditions beneficial for decomposition. δ15 N of Sphagnum hinted that nitrogen fixation had a positive effect on nitrogen accumulation, particular in recent decades. Our study suggested that decomposition is more important for carbon and nitrogen sequestration than production in peatlands in most conditions and if future climate changes or human disturbance increase decomposition rate, carbon sequestration in peatlands will be jeopardized.

An examination of the influence of drained peatlands on regional stream water chemistry.

Currently, 50% of Irish rivers do not meet water quality standards, with many declining due to numerous pressures, including peatland degradation. This study examines stream water quality in the Irish midlands, a region where raised bogs have been all historically disturbed to various extent and the majority drained for industrial or domestic peat extraction. For the first time, we provide in-depth analysis of stream water chemistry within a heavily modified bog landscape. Small streams from degraded bogs exhibited greater levels of pollutants, in particular: total dissolved nitrogen (0.48 mg/l) and sulphate (18.49 mg/l) as well as higher electrical conductivity (mean: 334 µS/cm) compared to similar bog streams in near-natural bogs. Except for site-specific nitrogen pollution in certain streams surrounding degraded peatlands, the chemical composition of the receiving streams did not significantly differ between near-natural and degraded sites, reflecting the spatio-temporal scales of disturbance in this complex peat-scape. Dissolved organic carbon concentrations in all the receiving streams were high (27.2 mg/l) compared to other Irish streams, even within other peatland catchments. The region is experiencing overall a widespread loss of fluvial nitrogen and carbon calling for (a) the development of management instruments at site-level (water treatment) and landscape-level (rewetting) to assist with meeting water quality standards in the region, and (b) the routine monitoring of water chemistry as part of current and future peatland management activities. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10750-023-05188-5.

Comparison of GHG emissions from annual crops in rotation on drained temperate agricultural peatland with production of reed canary grass in paludiculture using an LCA approach.

Drained peat soils contribute significantly to global human-caused CO2 emissions and reducing peat degradation via rewetting is high on the political agenda. Ceasing agricultural activities on rewetted soils might lead to land owner resistance and high societal expenses to compensate farmers. Continued biomass production adapted for wet conditions on peat soils potentially minimizes these costs and helps supplying the growing demand for e.g. materials, fuels and feed. Here we used a life cycle assessment approach (cradle to farm gate) to investigate the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions related to three cases by applying IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) emission factors and specific site conditions at a bog and a fen site that represent widely distributed temperate peat soils. Besides soil emissions, upstream emissions from input, operational emissions and emission related to rewetting construction work were included. The analyzed systems were deeply drained cash cropping on agricultural bog (potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.), spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and oat (Avena sativa L.), permanent Reed canary grass (RCG) (Phalaris arundinacea L.) production on non-drained bog and permanent RCG production on shallow-drained fen. The annual mean water table depths (WTD) were -70, -38 (estimated) and -13 cm, respectively. Results showed estimated GHG emissions of 40.5, 26.1 and 20.6 Mg CO2eq ha-1, respectively, corresponding to a 35% GHG reduction for the non-drained bog case as compared to the drained bog case, despite that the obtained WTD due to ceased drainage did not adhere to the IPCC rewetting threshold of -30 cm. Emissions related to crop management represented 7, 14 and 19% of total emissions. In the RCG cultivation on fen case, the WTD were controlled primarily by the water table of the nearby stream and total GHG emissions were even lower as compared to the RCG production on the non-drained bog reflecting the difference in WTD. Rewetting projects need to include careful knowledge of the specific peat area to foresee the actual reduction potential.

Nutrient dynamics of 12 Sphagnum species during establishment on a rewetted bog.

Peatland degradation through drainage and peat extraction have detrimental environmental and societal consequences. Rewetting is an option to restore lost ecosystem functions, such as carbon storage, biodiversity and nutrient sequestration. Peat mosses (Sphagnum) are the most important peat-forming species in bogs. Most Sphagnum species occur in nutrient-poor habitats; however, high growth rates have been reported in artificial nutrient-rich conditions with optimal water supply. Here, we demonstrate the differences in nutrient dynamics of 12 Sphagnum species during their establishment in a 1-year field experiment at a Sphagnum paludiculture area in Germany. The 12 species are categorized into three groups (slower-, medium- and fast-growing). Establishment of peat mosses is facilitated by constant supply of nutrient-rich, low pH, and low alkalinity surface water. Our study shows that slower-growing species (S. papillosum, S. magellancium, S. fuscum, S. rubellum, S. austinii; often forming hummocks) displayed signs of nutrient imbalance. These species accumulated higher amounts of N, P, K and Ca in their capitula, and had an elevated stem N:K quotient (>3). Additionally, this group sequestered less C and K per m2 than the fast and medium-growing species (S. denticulatum, S. fallax, S. riparium, S. fimbriatum, S. squarrosum, S. palustre, S. centrale). Lower lawn thickness may have amplified negative effects of flooding in the slower-growing species. We conclude that nutrient dynamics and carbon/nutrient sequestration rates are species-specific. For bog restoration, generating ecosystem services or choosing suitable donor material for Sphagnum paludiculture, it is crucial to consider their compatibility with prevailing environmental conditions.

Inference of future bog succession trajectory from spatial chronosequence of changing aapa mires.

Climate change-driven vegetation changes can alter the ecosystem functions of northern peatlands. Several case studies have documented fen-to-bog transition (FBT) over recent decades, which can have major implications, as increased bog growth would likely cause cooling feedback. However, studies beyond individual cases are missing to infer if a common trajectory or many alternatives of FBT are in progress. We explored plant community and hydrology patterns during FBT of 23 boreal aapa mire complexes in Finland. We focused on mires where comparisons of historical (1940-1970) and new (2017-2019) aerial photographs indicated an expansion of Sphagnum-dominated zones. Vegetation plot and water chemistry data were collected from string-flark fens, transition zones with indications of Sphagnum increase, and bog zones; thus, in a chronosequence with a decadal time span. We ask, is there a common trajectory or many alternatives of FBT in progress, and what are the main characteristics (species and traits) of transitional plant communities? We found a pattern of fen-bog transitions via an increase in Sphagnum sect. Cuspidata (mainly S. majus and S. balticum), indicating a consistently high water table. Indicators only of transitional communities were scarce (Sphagnum lindbergii), but FBT had apparently facilitated shallow-rooted aerenchymatous vascular plants, especially Scheuchzeria palustris. Water pH consistently reflected the chronosequence with averages of 4.2, 3.9, and 3.8, from fen to transition and bog zones. Due to weak minerotrophy of string-flark fens, species richness increased towards bogs, but succession led to reduced beta diversity and homogenization among bog sites. Decadal chronosequence suggested a future fen-bog transition through a wet phase, instead of a drying trend. Transitional poor-fen vegetation was characterized by the abundance of Sphagnum lindbergii, S. majus, and Scheuchzeria palustris. Sphagnum mosses likely benefit from longer growing seasons and consistently wet and acidic conditions of aapa mires.

Removal of mesh track on an upland blanket peatland leads to changes in vegetation composition and structure.

Mesh tracks on peatlands are often granted permits on a temporary basis under the presumption that the tracks are either removed at the end of their permitted use or remain unused in situ. However, the fragility of peatland habitats and poor resilience of the specialist plant communities within them, mean that these linear disturbances may persist post-abandonment or post-removal. We removed sections of mesh track, abandoned five years earlier, from a blanket peatland using two different removal treatment methods (mown and unprepared) and studied a third treatment with sections left in place over a period of 19 months. On abandoned tracks, invasive species including Campylopus introflexus and Deschampsia flexulosa had established, while track removal led to extensive loss of Sphagnum species. Loss of surficial nanotopographic vegetation structures during track removal was extensive, and micro-erosion features were prevalent in both removal treatments. Abandoned sections of track performed comparably better across all metrics than removed sections. However, similarity between the vegetation assemblage of the abandoned track and the controls was <40% at the study outset, with NMDS (Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling) highlighting divergences. There was a mean species loss of 5 per quadrat for the removed sections. Bare peat was present in 52% of all track quadrats by the finish of the study. Our findings suggest that mesh tracks left in situ and track removal both present significant barriers to recovery and additional conservation interventions may be required after peatland tracks are abandoned.

Testate amoebae response and vegetation composition after plantation removal on a former raised bog.

Extensive drainage of peatlands in north-west Europe for the purposes of afforestation for timber production and harvesting has altered the carbon balance and biodiversity value. Large-scale restoration projects aim to reinstate hydrological conditions to keep carbon locked up in the peat and to restart active peat growth. Testate amoebae are an informal grouping of well-studied protists in peatland environments and as microbial consumers play an important role in nutrient and carbon cycling. Using a space for time substitution approach, this study investigated the response of testate amoebae assemblages and vegetation composition after tree removal on a drained raised bog. There was a clear difference in microbial assemblages between open and a chronosequenceof restoration areas. Results suggest microbial recovery after rewetting is a slow process with plant composition showing a faster response than the microbial assemblage. Mixotrophic testate amoebae had not recovered seventeen years following plantation removal and the establishment of Sphagnum mosses in the wetter microforms. These results suggest that vegetation composition and Testate amoeba assemblages respond differently to environmental drivers at forest-to-bog restoration areas. Local physicochemical peat properties were a stronger driver of the testate assemblage compared with vegetation. Complete recovery of microbial assemblages may take place over decadal timescales.

How expert insight into alpine peatland conservation complements global scientific evidence.

Experts can provide valuable information to fill knowledge gaps in published research on management effectiveness, particularly for threatened ecosystems, for which there is often limited evidence and the need for prompt intervention to ensure their persistence. One such ecosystem, alpine peatland, is threatened by climate change and other pressures, provides vital ecosystem services, and supports unique biodiversity. In a workshop, we gathered and synthesized into an accessible format information from experts on interventions used, threat context, and intervention effectiveness for Australian alpine peatland and used this knowledge to evaluate local relevance of the global literature for this threatened ecosystem. Experts identified 15 interventions used to conserve Australian peatlands, most of which enhanced or restored peatland condition and effectively addressed diverse threats. Experts' perspectives and global studies were strongly aligned, suggesting that research on peatland management may be broadly relevant across contexts, despite the distinct characteristics of Australian systems. Our workshop-based expert elicitation approach provided insights into current management practices unavailable in the literature.

Cómo los conocimientos de expertos sobre la conservación de las turberas alpinas complementan la evidencia científica mundial Resumen Los expertos pueden proporcionar información valiosa para llenar los vacíos de conocimiento en las investigaciones publicadas sobre la eficacia del manejo, en particular para los ecosistemas amenazados, para los cuales a menudo hay evidencia limitada y la necesidad de intervenciones inmediatas para garantizar su persistencia. Uno de esos ecosistemas, las turberas alpinas, está amenazado por el cambio climático y otras presiones, proporciona servicios ecosistémicos vitales y sustenta una biodiversidad única. En un taller, recopilamos y sintetizamos en un formato accesible, información de expertos sobre las intervenciones utilizadas, el contexto de la amenaza y la eficacia de la intervención para las turberas alpinas australianas, y utilizamos este conocimiento para evaluar la relevancia local de la literatura mundial para este ecosistema amenazado. Los expertos identificaron 15 intervenciones utilizadas para conservar las turberas australianas, la mayoría de las cuales mejoraron o restauraron la condición de las turberas y abordaron eficazmente diversas amenazas. Las perspectivas de los expertos y los estudios globales se alinearon fuertemente, lo que sugiere que la investigación sobre el manejo de las turberas puede ser ampliamente relevante en otros contextos, a pesar de características distintivas de los sistemas australianos. Nuestro método de de obtención de conocimiento de expertos basado en talleres proporcionó información sobre las prácticas de manejo actuales que no están disponibles en la literatura.

Initial ecological change in plant and arthropod community composition after wildfires in designated areas of upland peatlands.

Wildfires are an increasing concern due to rising temperatures and incidence of droughts associated with changing climate, poor land management, and direct human interference. Most studies of the impact of fire on temperate heathland and bog examined the consequences of controlled or prescribed burning. Less is known about the impacts of uncontrolled wildfires on sites designated for their conservation value. We examined the initial impact and short-term trajectory (3.5 years) of cool temperate peatland plant and arthropod communities on designated upland sites in Northern Ireland following wildfires, that is, unplanned with respect to where and when they occur, severity, and duration. These near simultaneous wildfires were often due to a failure to control prescribed burns. Wildfires were associated with a loss of blanket bog and heath indicator species. Broad vegetation groups showed initial recovery characterized by a decrease in bare ground and increasing cover of shrub species and bryophytes. However, at a species level, Sphagnum spp and bryophyte communities, which are central to peatland ecosystem functioning, showed no sign of recovery to prefire composition. Rather, bryophyte communities became more divergent over the course of the study and were mainly characterized by increased abundance of the alien pioneer acrocarp Campylopus introflexus. Similarly, composition of arthropod communities (ground beetles and spiders) differed between burnt and unburnt areas and showed no evidence of a return to species composition in unburnt areas. The nationally rare beetle Carabus nitens was more common in the aftermath of wildfire. Synthesis. Whilst, long-term recovery was not investigated, these short-term changes suggest enduring detrimental impacts on the distinctive communities associated with peatlands, primarily through the loss of Sphagnum spp., affecting ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration and water and soil retention. It may not be possible to restore exact prefire species composition of plant and animal communities. We suggest a precautionary approach involving management of upland vegetation, public education, and vigilance, to prevent further wildfires and protect these key upland habitats.