Physical properties of peat soils under different land use options
Pristine peat soils are characterized by large porosity, low density and large water and organic matter contents. Drainage and management practices change peat properties by oxidation, compaction and mineral matter additions. This study examined differences in physical properties (hydraulic conducti...
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| Published in: | Soil use and management Vol. 32; no. 3; pp. 400 - 410 |
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
| Format: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Bedfordshire
Blackwell Publishing Ltd
01-09-2016
Wiley Subscription Services, Inc |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Get full text |
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| Summary: | Pristine peat soils are characterized by large porosity, low density and large water and organic matter contents. Drainage and management practices change peat properties by oxidation, compaction and mineral matter additions. This study examined differences in physical properties (hydraulic conductivity, water retention curve, bulk density, porosity, von Post degree of decomposition) in soil profiles of two peatland forests, a cultivated peatland, a peat extraction area and two pristine mires originally within the same peatland area. Soil hydraulic conductivity of the drained sites (median hydraulic conductivities: 3.3 × 10−5 m/s, 2.9 × 10−8 m/s and 8.5 × 10−8 m/s for the forests, the cultivated site and the peat extraction area, respectively) was predicted better by land use option than by soil physical parameters. Detailed physical measurements were accompanied by monitoring of the water levels between drains. The model ‘DRAINMOD’ was used to assess the hydrology and the rapid fluctuations seen in groundwater depths. Hydraulic conductivity values needed to match the simulation of observed depth to groundwater data were an order of magnitude greater than those determined in field measurements, suggesting that macropore flow was an important pathway at the study sites. The rapid response of depth to groundwater during rainfall events indicated a small effective porosity and this was supported by the small measured values of drainable porosity. This study highlighted the potential role of land use and macropore flow in controlling water table fluctuation and related processes in peat soils. |
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| Bibliography: | Finnish Cultural Foundation ark:/67375/WNG-SWDL25R1-K Oulun läänin talousseuran maataloussäätiö istex:4097B622EF5C6CB57FD6CA1A8380C401315B58F2 Maa- ja vesitekniikan tuki ry. Finnish Drainage Foundation Sven Hallinin tutkimussäätiö ArticleID:SUM12272 Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in Finland ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 |
| ISSN: | 0266-0032 1475-2743 |
| DOI: | 10.1111/sum.12272 |