Mulch decomposition impedes recovery of net carbon sink function in a restored peatland

With the increase in the drainage and extraction of peat for horticultural, agricultural and energy purposes worldwide, there is an increased pressure to restore hydrological conditions essential to the re-establishment of Sphagnum mosses and, therefore, carbon sequestration. Measurements of ecosystem CO2 were conducted at a recently restored vacuum harvested bog in Eastern Québec, Canada. The peatland was restored by blocking the drainage …