Influence of forest management changes and reuse of peat production areas on water quality in a northern river

Sammanfattning

In Northern Finland, the most significant land use challenges are related to bioenergy production from peat extraction and forest biomass. Increasing societal demand for bioenergy may increase production rates. However, environmental impacts of peat extraction are of increasing concern, which has led to a decline in production, thereby freeing up these areas for other uses. Using storylines for different societal futures and process-based models (PERSiST and INCA), we simulated the effect of simultaneous land use change and climate change on water quality (phosphorus, nitrogen and suspended sediments concentration). Conversion of peat extraction areas to arable land, together with climate change, may pose a risk for deterioration of ecological status. On the other hand, continuous forestry may have positive impacts on water quality. Suspended sediment concentrations in the river do not exceed water quality requirements for salmonids, but nitrogen concentrations may exceed threshold values especially during high flows. A storyline emphasizing sustainable development in energy pro-duction led to the best outcome in terms of water protection.

Nyckelord

Peatland; Land use; Nitrogen; Phosphorus; Mathematical modelling; Climate change

Publicerad i

CATENA
2023, volym: 226, artikelnummer: 107045
Utgivare: ELSEVIER

SLU författare

• Futter, Martyn

  • Institutionen för vatten och miljö, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet
    

• Elmi Lannergård, Emma

  • Institutionen för vatten och miljö, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet
    

Globala målen (SDG)

SDG6 Rent vatten och sanitet för alla
SDG13 Bekämpa klimatförändringarna

UKÄ forskningsämne

Miljö- och naturvårdsvetenskap
Oceanografi, hydrologi, vattenresurser

Publikationens identifierare

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2023.107045

Permanent länk till denna sida (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/122035