Effects of peatland management on soil functioning

We are investigating the fate of carbon in photosynthate and litter in peatlands. Our main research sites are peatlands that are regenerating without human intervention following peat harvesting or actively managed restoration sites following a short timber crop application. Using natural abundance stable isotope partitioning techniques, we are investigating whether the priming effect takes place in peatlands. We are also applying stable isotope tracers, as photosynthate pulses and as labeled litter, to quantify the respiratory fluxes, net retention in plant tissues and in the microbial community.

The projects are part of Scottish Government funded research project ‘Management of Soils to Enhance Function and Value’ under Programme 3: Environment – Land Use and Rural Stewardship (2006-2011). Completed work was funded by NERC and BBSRC PhD studentships.

Group members:

• Dr. Rebekka Artz, Prof. Pete Millard, Dr. Andy Midwood and Dr. Barry Thornton
• Dr. Catherine Smart
• Dr Roxane Andersen

Past members:

• Eileen Reid (2007-2009)
• Dr. Clare Trinder (2004-2007)

Collaborators:

• Dr. David Johnson, (University of Aberdeen)
• Norrie Russell (RSPB Forsinard)

Relevant publications:

Trinder, C.J., Johnson, D. and R.R.E. Artz (2009) Litter type, but not plant cover, regulates initial litter decomposition and fungal community structure in cutover peatlands. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 41: 651-655.

Artz, R.R.E., Chapman, S.J., Siegenthaler, A., Mitchell, E.A.D., Buttler, A., Bortoluzzi, E., Gilbert, D., Yli-Petays, M., Vasander, H. and Francez, A-J. (2008). Functional microbial diversity in cutover peatlands responds to vegetation succession and is partly directed by labile carbon.  Journal of Applied Ecology 45: 1799-1809.

Trinder, C.J., Artz, R.R.E., and D. Johnson (2008) Contribution of plant photosynthate to soil respiration and dissolved organic carbon in a naturally recolonising cutover peatland. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 40: 1622-1628.

Trinder, C.J., Artz, R.R.E. and Johnson, D. (2008) Temporal patterns of litter production by vascular plants colonising cut-over peatlands. Wetlands 28: 524-250.

Artz, R.R.E., Chapman, S.J., Robertson, A.H.J., Potts, J.M., Laggoun-Defarge, F., Gogo, S., Comont, L., Disnar, J.-R., and A.J. Francez (2008). FTIR spectrocopy can be used as a screening tool for organic matter quality in regenerating peatlands. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 40: 515-527.

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