Development of ombrotrophic raised bogs in north-east Germany 17 years after the adoption of a protective program

Published source details Bönsel A. & Sonneck A.-G. (2012) Development of ombrotrophic raised bogs in north-east Germany 17 years after the adoption of a protective program. Wetlands Ecology and Management, 20, 503-520.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Rewet peatland (raise water table) Action Link

Rewet peatland (raise water table)

A site comparison study in 2007 in two bogs in Germany (Bönsel & Sonneck 2012) found that a fully rewetted bog contained more plant species, greater moss cover and greater cover of some herbs than a partially rewetted bog, but less tree and rush cover. After 10 years, there were more plant species on the fully rewetted bog (208) than the partially rewetted bog (68). The fully rewetted bog also had greater cover of mosses overall (44 vs 4%) and Sphagnum mosses (25 vs 14%). Beaked sedge Carex rostrata, purple moor grass Molinia caerulea and one of two Eriophorum cottongrass species were more abundant, relative to other plant species, in the fully rewetted bog than the partially rewetted bog (reported as an abundance index). The fully rewetted bog had less cover of rushes (19 vs 39%) and trees (22 vs 57%). Both bogs had similar cover of herbs overall (67 vs 65%) and shrubs (8 vs 6%). In 1997, drainage ditches in and around both bogs were blocked. In one bog all blockages were successful (water table 17–25 cm below peat surface) but in the other bog only some blockages were successful, so the water table was lower (40–50 cm below surface). In 2007, plant species were counted and vegetation cover estimated in 25 m² plots: 35 on the fully rewetted and 21 on the partially rewetted bog.

(Summarised by: Nigel Taylor)