Restoration of formerly afforested blanket bog: Estimating time for vegetation recovery.

ABSTRACT: Peatland restoration aims to restore hydrology and peat-forming vegetation, supporting other ecosystem functions. However, the time required for complete vegetation recovery is generally unknown. Here, we investigate this in an experimentally restored, formerly afforested blanket bog in northern Scotland, which was plowed, fertilized, and planted with non-native conifers in the mid-1980s. Plowing created three "microforms": Ridges, Original surface, and Furrows. Restoration management took place in two stages: trees were felled and drains blocked in 1998 (Standard treatment); then parts of the area were further rewetted with additional drain-blocking in 2015/2016 (Enhanced treatment). We recorded plant species composition in permanent quadrats 0, 5, 13, and 24 years after the start of rest

SUBMITTER: Rydgren K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12683703 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature