Open AccessAfforestation of abandoned peat extraction sites with Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) as a solution of climate change mitigation
Author(s) -
Evelina Skrastina,
AUTHOR_ID,
Inga Straupe,
Andis Lazdiņš,
AUTHOR_ID,
AUTHOR_ID
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
research for rural development/research for rural development (online)
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Conference proceedings
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.212
H-Index - 9
eISSN - 2255-923X
pISSN - 1691-4031
DOI - 10.22616/rrd.27.2021.009
Subject(s) - peat , greenhouse gas , scots pine , environmental science , afforestation , climate change , carbon neutrality , biomass (ecology) , climate change mitigation , wetland , environmental protection , agroforestry , pinus <genus> , geography , ecology , botany , biology , archaeology
On a global scale, ambitious climate change mitigation targets are set. By 2050, the European Union is expected to be climate neutral which means that the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions will not exceed removals. This initiative is also supported by Latvia. For businesses and carbon intensive industries transition to climate neutral economy will be provided by Just Transition Fund. The direction of the peat sector towards climate neutrality will promote research and innovation as well as restoration of peat extraction sites. These are also the objectives of implementing the Just Transition Fund for investments in Latvia. Studies on management of peat soils to improve the calculation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have been carried out in Latvia within LIFE REstore project. The aim of the study is to assess the impact of afforestation of abandoned peat extraction sites with Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) on GHG emissions compared to retaining of the existing situation (abandoned peatlands with poorly developed vegetation). Afforestation of degraded peatlands can contribute to significant GHG reduction in wetlands – up to 20% of the net GHG emissions due to wetlands management. The most of the GHG mitigation potential is ensured by accumulation of CO2 in living biomass.