Considering trade-offs and co-benefits in boreal peatland restoration

Peatland restoration has been highlighted as a key nature-based climate solution because rewetting drained peatlands protects large soil carbon stocks and can return ecosystem carbon sink function. However, across boreal Canada, many peatland disturbances do not involve direct drainage of peatlands and instead arise from infrastructure development for resource exploration and extraction. These disturbances include roads, mines, well-sites, pipelines, and seismic lines. Restoration of these disturbances is often driven by biodiversity goals linked to reduction of habitat fragmentation. While carbon storage and biodiversity are often co-benefits in peatland restoration projects, the currently applied mounding treatments that aim to promote a return to forest cover on peatlands affected by seismic lines and oil exploration well-sites often result in additional carbon emissions, and further disruptions to local plant communities, hydrology, and soil properties. Newly tested mounding techniques, including hummock transfer and upright mounding, that take care to preserve peat forming plant communities and more closely mimic natural microtopography can reduce carbon emissions while continuing to provide elevated microsites that promote the tree regrowth to reduce fragmentation. Here we present field results from several peatland restoration field trials that illustrate these potential trade-offs and co-benefits. We also highlight the importance of multi-sectoral partnerships to support knowledge translation into improved restoration practice.