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
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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. / Thesis / Master of Science (MS)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:mcmaster.ca/oai:macsphere.mcmaster.ca:11375/23513 |
| Date | 12 1900 |
| Creators | Karola, Toth |
| Contributors | Waddington, J.M., Bourbonniere, R.A., Geography |
| Source Sets | McMaster University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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