Groundwater level dynamics in extracted peatland: assessing potential for recultivation

Peatlands are among the most carbon-dense ecosystems on Earth, playing a crucial role in climate change mitigation by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. As naturebased climate solutions, their restoration is particularly vital for achieving near-term climate goals (2030–2050). The European Union has set an ambitious target to restore 70% of drained peatlands by 2050, with at least 50% rewetted. The Baltic countries, including Latvia, are significant contributors to GHG emissions from degraded peatlands within the EU. In Latvia, peatlands cover approximately 10% of the land area, with 0.4% (from total area of Latvia) actively used for peat extraction. Balancing environmental and socioeconomic considerations is essential for meeting climate and biodiversity objectives in peatland recultivation. In Latvia, peat extraction companies are obligated by mining licenses to plan post-extraction recultivation, which may involve converting areas into water bodies, forests, or restored natural peatlands. A key factor influencing the success of these efforts is groundwater management, as water dynamics are critical for peatland restoration. This study focuses on groundwater level fluctuations in a 16.4-hectare extracted peatland in Central Latvia. Six groundwater monitoring wells equipped with TD-Diver loggers were installed to assess water level changes. While the monitoring is ongoing, the first year of data reveals significant groundwater fluctuations, indicating the necessity for active hydrological management. Long-term monitoring will continue, with particular interest in the comparison of groundwater conditions before and after the implementation of recultivation measures. Our findings highlight the importance of stabilizing water levels for the successful restoration of peatland ecosystems.