Impact of Forest Harvesting Intensity and Water Table on Biodegradability of Dissolved Organic Carbon in Boreal Peat in an Incubation Experiment

Boreal peatlands are vast carbon (C) stores but also major sources of dissolved organic C (DOC) and nutrients to surface waters. Drainage forest harvesting accelerates DOC leaching. Continuous cover forestry (CCF) is considered cause fewer adverse environmental effects. Yet, the effects CCF on processes unrecognised. We study production quality in unharvested, CCF, clear-cut drained peatland forests a non-forested alluvial sedge fen. Parallel replicate peat columns with ground vegetation collected from uppermost 50 cm at each site, water table (WT) set −20 or −40 depths columns. During eight-month ex situ incubation experiment, soil samples extracted monthly bi-monthly. The incubated 15 °C for multiple 72 h cycles pore biodegradation DOC. CO2 occurs during first three days. concentrations release per volume significantly lower fen than forests. WT has negligible effect no quality, higher generally WT. results suggest that not vulnerable changes se management alters biotic abiotic factors control production, transport,