Peatlands

Question 1

Bog Water Balance

Answer 1

Dynamic equilibrium between Precipitation inputs and losses through evaporational transpiration and lateral seepage

Question 2

Gas Exchange in bog

Answer 2

Photosynthesis and resp in surface.
The same but less in Acrotelm
Methanogenesis in waterlogged zone

Question 3

Threats to peatland

Answer 3

Cutting
Drainage
Pollution
Spaghnum harvesting

Question 4

Cutting

Answer 4

Use for electrical power generation

Question 5

Drainage and Afforestation

Answer 5

Used to be subsidies for this in the UK

Question 6

Pollution

Answer 6

High N can lead to grasses which dry out the bog
Sulphur causes loss of vegetation and subsequent erosion

Question 7

Shannonbridge Power Station Ireland

Answer 7

Closed in 2020
Produced 8% of countries electricity with 20% of sector emissions

Question 8

Coastal Wetlands

Answer 8

Found around the UK
Inundated by the sea in mid-holocene

Question 9

Humberhead levels

Answer 9

Inundation prior to 5,500 BP
Peatland after this

Question 10

Borth Bog Wales

Answer 10

Peat to Saltmarsh 5,000 BP to Fresh peat

Question 11

Kyoto Protocol

Answer 11

Originally peatland restoration not included when achieving carbon targets.
Updated version includes them as measure to reduce C

Question 12

Rewetting

Answer 12

Drain blocking
Tree removal
Peat bunds
Tregarnon Bay

Question 13

Peatland within climate change

Answer 13

Severe watertable drawdown due to higher temperatures

Question 14

Walton Moss Past changes

Answer 14

Characteristics of Cotton grass, heather, brown mosses lead to optimum thermal characteristics

Question 15

Eriophorum (Cotton grass)

Answer 15

very good in acidic conditions with unstable water table
Drought and fire tolerant
Can allow peat accumulation in marginal conditions
Dominated just after fen bog transition before stable water table

Question 16

Managing future peatlands

Answer 16

Allow species dominance of cotton grass, heather etc
Reduce N pollution
Allow small fires for phosphorus input