Ditch network maintenance in peat-dominated boreal forests: Review and analysis of water quality management options

The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of different water management options to mitigate sediment and nutrient exports from ditch network maintenance (DNM) areas in boreal peatland forests. Available literature was reviewed, past data reanalyzed, effects of drainage intensity mode...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ambio 2018-09, Vol.47 (5), p.535-545
Main Authors: Nieminen, Mika, Piirainen, Sirpa, Sikström, Ulf, Löfgren, Stefan, Marttila, Hannu, Sarkkola, Sakari, Laurén, Ari, Finér, Leena
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Atmospheric Sciences
Boreal forests
Downstream effects
Drainage
Drainage ditches
Earth and Environmental Science
Ecology
Environment
Environmental Engineering/Biotechnology
Environmental Management
Erosion
Forest Science
Forests
Oceanografi, hydrologi, vattenresurser
Oceanography, Hydrology, Water Resources
Peat
Peatlands
Physical Geography
Quality management
REVIEW
Sedimentation
Skogsvetenskap
Soil
Soil management
Taiga
Water analysis
Water depth
Water management
Water Pollutants, Chemical
Water protection
Water Quality
Water quality management
Water velocity
Wetlands
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Summary:The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of different water management options to mitigate sediment and nutrient exports from ditch network maintenance (DNM) areas in boreal peatland forests. Available literature was reviewed, past data reanalyzed, effects of drainage intensity modeled, and major research gaps identified. The results indicate that excess downstream loads may be difficult to prevent. Water protection structures constructed to capture eroded matter are either inefficient (sedimentation ponds) or difficult to apply (wetland buffers). It may be more efficient to decrease erosion, either by limiting peak water velocity (dam structures) or by adjusting ditch depth and spacing to enable satisfactory drainage without exposing the mineral soil below peat. Future research should be directed towards the effects of ditch breaks and adjusted ditch depth and spacing in managing water quality in DNM areas.
ISSN:0044-7447
1654-7209
1654-7209
DOI:10.1007/s13280-018-1047-6