En våt klimatåtgärd - möjligheter och konflikter med återvätning av dikade skogbeklädda torvmarker för att minska klimatpåverkan

Sammanfattning: Peatlands store substantial amounts of carbon. When drainage of these areas occurs in order to use for practices such as forestry, greenhouse gases (GHG) will be emitted which will enhance climate change. The aim of this study was to explore whether rewetting of drained forest covered peatlands can reduce its impact on climate and which conflicts with forestry this can lead to. As a case study, the potential for reducing GHG emissions by rewetting of forest covered peatlands in Lund municipality was assessed. Through a literature review, this study shows that rewetting of peatlands drained for forestry is a feasible measure for climate mitigation. However, to achieve a successful result the local conditions have to be considered, such as hydrology, vegetation and soil properties. Furthermore, if rewetting is implemented a conflict with forestry can emerge as the increased water table will reduce forest production if the tree species are not adapted to a wet environment. One solution presented in this study was the practice of cultivation on wet peatlands, paludiculture. In the case study, a mapping was conducted in ArcGIS to present areas of interest for rewetting within Lund municipality. The result indicates that GHG emissions would decrease with this measure. In conclusion, regarding rewetting it is essential to consider what the site is naturally most suitable for in order to optimize its ecosystem services. Rewetting is a climate mitigation action but as it may interfere with forestry, economic and social aspects should be considered to create a sustainable long-term plan.