Work

The effect of granulated wood-ash fertilization on soil properties and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in boreal peatland forests

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: The amount of wood ash produced in power plants is increasing with increasing use of forest biomass in energy production.Wood ash can be recycled as fertilizer especially in boreal peatland forests naturally rich in nitrogen.Improved nutrient availability and increases in soil pH can enhance microbial activities, decomposition of organic matter and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.We studied the effects of granulated wood-ash on soil chemical properties, vegetation characteristics, decomposition rate and fluxes of nitrous oxide (N 2 O) and methane (CH 4 ) in boreal peatland forests.In addition to the field measurements, we conducted laboratory experiments.Wood-ash fertilization changed soil chemical properties, altered understory vegetation, increased tree growth and decomposition rate but there were no significant changes in the N 2 O and CH 4 fluxes in situ, whereas in laboratory incubations ash decreased the N 2 O production rate.The results show that there is no major risk of increasing GHG emissions after granulated wood-ash fertilization in boreal peatland forests.

Source: Jukuri (Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke))

DOI: 10.60910/tn5a-y2y5

Authors: Maljanen, Marja, Liimatainen, Maarit, Hytönen, Jyrki, Martikainen, Pertti J.

Institution: University of Eastern Finland

Language: English

Topic: Peatlands and Wetlands Ecology

Subfield: Ecology

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Climate action, Life on land, Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: green

Funders: Koneen Säätiö, Pohjois-Savon Rahasto