Modelling long-term alluvial-peatland dynamics in temperate river floodplains
<p>Peat growth is a frequent phenomenon in European river valleys. The presence of peat in the floodplain stratigraphy makes them hotspots of carbon storage. The long-term dynamics of alluvial peatlands are complex due to interactions between the peat and the local river network, and as a resu...
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| Autores principales: | , , |
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| Formato: | article |
| Lenguaje: | EN |
| Publicado: |
Copernicus Publications
2021
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| Materias: | |
| Acceso en línea: | https://doaj.org/article/b47ec4b0c15a4250bc14c27d4b51179d |
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| Sumario: | <p>Peat growth is a frequent phenomenon in European river valleys. The presence of peat in the floodplain stratigraphy makes them hotspots of carbon
storage. The long-term dynamics of alluvial peatlands are complex due to interactions between the peat and the local river network, and as a result,
alluvial-peatland development in relation to both regional and local conditions is not well understood. In this study, a new modelling framework is
presented to simulate long-term peatland development in river floodplains by coupling a river basin hydrology model (STREAM – Spatial Tools for River basins and Environment and Analysis of Management options) with a local peat
growth model (modified version of DigiBog). The model is applied to two lowland rivers in northern Belgium, located in the European loess (Dijle (Dyle) River) and sand (Grote Nete River) belts. Parameter sensitivity analysis and scenario analysis are used to study the relative importance of internal
processes and environmental conditions on peatland development. The simulation results demonstrate that the peat thickness is largely determined by
the spacing and mobility of the local river channel(s) rather than by channel characteristics or peat properties. In contrast, changes in regional
conditions such as climate and land cover across the upstream river basin have been shown to influence the river hydrograph but have a limited effect on
peat growth. These results demonstrate that alluvial-peatland development is strongly determined by the geomorphic boundary conditions set by the
river network and as such models must account for river channel dynamics to adequately simulate peatland development trajectories in valley
environments.</p> |
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