Abstract
The Dutch BSIK-Climate Changes Spatial Planning projects investigated whether there are possibilities to reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the rural areas in the Netherlands. The main focus during this project was on peat areas and forests, the most relevant sources and sinks, respectively. The effect of raising the groundwater level and reducing the agricultural intensity on the total GHG balance of peat areas was investigated. A landscape scale comparison was made in which the GHG balance of three typical Dutch peat areas was investigated and compared. It was concluded that the total GHG emission will decrease if the groundwater level is raised and management intensity is reduced. In addition, the influence of different tree species on the long term C-storage in the soil was evaluated using measurements in the forest site Speuld in the Netherlands. The main conclusion was that different tree species under similar conditions developed significantly different C stocks in both the forest floor and the mineral topsoil. A larch stand will be much more efficient in C storage than a beech stand determined over a time period of 60 years. Finally, it is shown by scenario studies that the Dutch land emissions could change drastically due to socioeconomic developments and commitment to achieve environmental targets.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 99-109 |
| Journal | Landschap |
| Volume | 27 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Publication status | Published - 2010 |
| Externally published | Yes |