Show simple item record

dc.contributor.authorFinnegan, Joanne
dc.contributor.authorRegan, John T.
dc.contributor.authorHealy, Mark G.
dc.date.accessioned2012-07-23T11:26:54Z
dc.date.available2012-07-23T11:26:54Z
dc.date.issued2012
dc.identifier.citationFinnegan, J., Regan, J.T., de Eyto, E., Ryder, L., Tiernan, D., Healy, M.G. (2012) 'Nutrient dynamics in a peatland forest riparian buffer zone and implications for the establishment of planted saplings'. Ecological Engineering, 47 :155-164.en_US
dc.identifier.issn0925-8574
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10379/2918
dc.description.abstractForestry on peatland throughout the world is now focused on minimising destructive effects to the surrounding environment, especially during harvesting. These effects may be mitigated through the use of well-developed riparian buffers zones (RBZs). However, much of the commercial forestry planted in Ireland and the UK in the mid 20th century was planted without adequate RBZs. The creation of new RBZs prior to clearfelling may be a possible mitigation measure in these circumstances. The aim of this paper was to assess the nutrient content and phosphorus (P) adsorption capacity of the soil, and survival of planted saplings in a RBZ, positioned downslope from a standing forest and partly covered with brash mats, five years after its establishment. Dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) concentrations were significantly higher under the brash mats in the RBZ when compared to all other areas. The standing forest had the highest concentrations of ammonium nitrogen (NH4 N), while total oxidised nitrogen (TON) was similar for all areas. Water extractable phosphorus and desorption-adsorption testing also confirmed the high concentrations of P under the brash mats, but P did not leach through the peat to the stream. The overall survival rate of the saplings was relatively high, with over half of Quercus robur (oak) (57 %), Sorbus aucuparia (rowan) (57 %) and Betula pendula (birch) (51 %) surviving. Salix cinerea (willow) (22 %), Alnus glutinosa (alder) (25 %) and Ilex aquifolium (holly) (44 %) did not survive as successfully. The RBZ was capable of providing nutrients for the survival of planted saplings, fertilizing the peat with degrading brash material and preventing elevated levels of nutrients entering the adjacent aquatic ecosystem.en_US
dc.description.sponsorshipDepartment of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; Environmental Protection Agency (STRIVE program 2007¿2013)en_US
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.relation.ispartofEcological Engineeringen
dc.rightsAttribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Ireland
dc.rights.urihttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ie/
dc.subjectPhosphorusen_US
dc.subjectForestryen_US
dc.subjectBrash matsen_US
dc.subjectRiparian buffer zonesen_US
dc.subjectVegetationen_US
dc.titleNutrient dynamics in a peatland forest riparian buffer zone and implications for the establishment of planted saplings.en_US
dc.typeArticleen_US
dc.date.updated2012-07-23T07:48:56Z
dc.identifier.doi10.1016/j.ecoleng.2012.06.023
dc.local.publishedsourcehttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2012.06.023en_US
dc.description.peer-reviewedpeer-reviewed
dc.contributor.funder|~|Dept of Agriculture & Food |~|Environmental Protection Agency|~|
dc.internal.rssid2012911
dc.local.contactMark Healy, Dept. Of Civil Engineering, Room E210, Civil Engineering Building, Nui Galway. 5364 Email: mark.healy@nuigalway.ie
dc.local.copyrightcheckedYes
dc.local.versionACCEPTED
nui.item.downloads523


Files in this item

Thumbnail
Thumbnail

This item appears in the following Collection(s)

Show simple item record

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Ireland
Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Ireland