Carbon Dynamics in Extracted Minerotrophic Peatlands: An Analysis of the Effect of Plant Biodiversity

Recent experiments have shown that biodiversity loss can impair natural ecosystem functioning. Extraction of horticultural peat is known to alter the diversity of vegetation and convert peatlands from net sinks to persistent sources of carbon to the atmosphere. Peatland restoration has been shown to re‐establish the natural carbon sink function, however, current restoration techniques could be refined with more knowledge of the role of plant biodiversity. In a controlled field study, I tested the effect of plant biodiversity on carbon sequestration in an extracted peatland in Quebec, Canada. Closed‐chamber method was used to measure the flux of carbon between the peatland and the atmosphere in fourteen treatments planted with different numbers of species. Species richness was not found to have a significant impact on carbon sequestration and no overyielding was detected in polycultures. Species identity was important with Carex aquatilis having a significantly positive impact on carbon sequestration.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MSc)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Geography

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Graduate Studies

Year dc:date.issued

2014

Author dc:creator

• Hassanpour Fard, Golnoush

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Strack, Maria

• Geography
• Horticulture
• Soil Science
• Ecology
• Biogeochemistry
• Hydrology
• Physical Geography
• Environmental Sciences

Statement dc:rights

• University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.

Language dc:language.iso

eng

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/25211

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ucalgary.scholaris.ca:11023/1532