Abstract
There is evidence that damaged peatlands can negatively affect the delivery of water related ecosystem services. There is interest in peatland restoration to meet different regulatory targets, including the Water Framework Directive (WFD). A comprehensive assessment of the economic benefits of restoration is missing. This paper synthesises hydrological and bio-geochemical knowledge on peatland restoration, as well as insights in the monetary valuation of water quality improvements in freshwater systems. This is used to identify challenges in valuing water quality related benefits from peatland restoration. The paper concludes that there is strong evidence for rapid ecological responses to peatland restoration related to reduced suspended sediment loads, and sufficient evidence that re-wetting will prevent further decline in water quality. Two main challenges arise for valuation: (1) incomplete evidence of effects of restoration on final ecosystem services and benefits, and (2) the spatial and temporal differences in peatlands' responses. We suggest developing valuation scenarios on a case-by-case basis, using best available evidence of the changes associated with restoration described by a categorization of peatland status similar to the ecological status ladders developed for the WFD. These would need to be tested with the public and should include an element of uncertainty in services provision.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 34-43 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Ecosystem Services |
| Volume | 9 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Sept 2014 |
Funding
This work has been developed within the Valuing Nature Network project “ Valuing Peatlands: Assessing and valuing peatland ecosystem services for sustainable management ” funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (UK) . All project participants are to be thanked for their contribution to discussions from which this paper has nourished. Special thanks to Aletta Bonn and Chris Evans for their coordinating role, as well as to Mark Reed who also provided valuable comments to an earlier version of this paper. Special thanks to Vikki Hirst for the organization of the Joint water@leeds and IUCN-Valuing Nature Network Workshop on Catchment management using payments for ecosystem services to restore and maintain upland peat , which led to fruitful discussions reflected in this paper. The work of Dr. Martin-Ortega has been co-financed by the Scottish Government through its Centre of Expertise Climate Change: Mitigation—Peatland Restoration Project and the Rural Affairs and the Environment Portfolio Strategic Research Programme 2011–2016, Theme 1 (Environmental Change: Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity). The work by Dr. Glenk has been co-financed by 'SmartSOIL (Grant Agreement No. 289694) co-funded by the European Commission, Directorate General for Research & Innovation, within the 7th Framework Programme of RTD, Theme 2 – Biotechnologies, Agriculture & Food'. Dr. Allott acknowledges the support of Moors for the Future and associated funding from DEFRA and the Environment Agency. Authors are grateful to Rebekka Artz for continued support.
Keywords
- Blanket raised bogs
- Ecosystem services
- Non-market values
- Water Framework Directive
