PEATLANDS AS CO₂ RESERVOIRS

The soil profiles are part of a collection of soil profiles from around the world that is currently being compiled at the Department of Environmental Systems Science at ETH Zurich. Detailed descriptions of the soil profiles can be found below.

SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We would like to express our sincere thanks to:

Prof. Dr. Sebastian Dötterl and Dr. Fanny Petibon from the research group Soil Resources at the Department of Environmental Systems Science at ETH Zurich for providing the two peatland soil profiles free of charge and for their scientific support with the content.

REFERENCES

PRISTINE PEAT SOIL

Moor soil with high water saturation.

Location: Friedrichsheider Hochmoor; intact peat soil
Parent material: Sphagnum mosses and water-loving woody plants over granite (not visible)

DRAINED PEAT SOIL

Peat soil that has been drained for agricultural and forestry use. This causes the soil to collapse and stored CO₂ to be released.

Location: Friedrichsheider Hochmoor; drained peat soil
Parent material: Sphagnum mosses and water-loving woody plants over granite (visible)