E-Thesis 61 views
The Fight for Cinderella – How Forestry Plantations are Covertly Reducing Peatlands via Wind. / FFION MAGUIRE
Swansea University Author: FFION MAGUIRE
Abstract
Peatlands cover just 3% of the global land mass, however, are one of the most important habitats in the world, due to associated ecosystem services. In Scotland, peatlands were once thought to have minimal environmental value, resulting in extensive planting of conifers in peatlands during the 20th...
| Published: |
Swansea University, Wales, UK
2024
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| Institution: | Swansea University |
| Degree level: | Master of Research |
| Degree name: | MRes |
| Supervisor: | Froyd, C. |
| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa68055 |
| Abstract: |
Peatlands cover just 3% of the global land mass, however, are one of the most important habitats in the world, due to associated ecosystem services. In Scotland, peatlands were once thought to have minimal environmental value, resulting in extensive planting of conifers in peatlands during the 20th century, following a timber shortage after the World Wars.Afforestation is a major threat to peatland ecosystems. Procedures to drain the peat, associated with tree planting, can have irreversible effects on future water balance and peat accumulation. Furthermore, afforestation results in ongoing threats to non-forested peatland, as wind-dispersed seeds from forestry plantations can cause naturally occurring afforestation, due to ecological succession. This study aimed to identify the ‘risk zone’ around forestry plantations, where peatlands are more susceptible to naturally occurring afforestation, through seed trap and lodgepole pine count studies in The Flow Country, Scotland. The greatest abundance of conifer seed and regeneration was recorded at 20 m from the forest, although evidence of seed dispersal was recorded up to 120.9 m. Variance in seed rain abundance was observed between sites, and there was a variance of seasonal seed rain abundance in comparison to relevant literature, as seeds were predominantly recorded during summer. Furthermore, microtopography was identified to impact conifer germination patterns, as higher densities of conifers were recorded on flat ground and ridges, than furrows. This study provides a step forward in understanding the management considerations for peatlands adjacent to forestry plantations and it was determined that ongoing management of conifer regeneration in peatlands will be required within 120 m of forestry plantations. The results also prove that seed traps are a suitable method for researching seed rain abundance, whilst highlighting limitations that need to be addressed. Furthermore, a need to consider naturally occurring afforestation when smoothing peat for restoration purposes wasidentified. |
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| Item Description: |
A selection of content is redacted or is partially redacted from this thesis to protect sensitive and personal information. |
| Keywords: |
Lodgepole pine, Sitka spruce, peatland, afforestation, Scotland |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |