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Drainage for forestry increases N, P and TOC export to boreal surface waters
Leena Finér1, Ahti Lepistö2, Kristian Karlsson3
1Natural Resources Institute Finland, Yliopistokatu 6b, FI-80100 Joensuu, Finland.
The Science of the Total Environment
|December 29, 2020
Summary
New estimates reveal forest management significantly increases nutrient export (nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic carbon) to Finnish surface waters, highlighting the impact of forest drainage. Peatland forests are key export hotspots.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Hydrology
- Forestry
Background:
- Accurate nutrient export assessments are crucial for the ecological status of water bodies, including the Baltic Sea.
- Previous nutrient export estimates may be unreliable due to the exclusion of long-term forest drainage impacts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop new estimates for total nitrogen (N), total phosphorus (P), and total organic carbon (TOC) export from Finnish forests to surface waters.
- To analyze the influence of climate, soil, forest management, and catchment characteristics on nutrient export.
Main Methods:
- Statistical equations were formulated linking streamwater concentrations with environmental and management variables.
- A comprehensive dataset from 89 boreal forest catchments (28 pristine, 61 managed) across Finland was utilized.
- Spatial data on catchment characteristics were integrated with long-term monitoring data.
Main Results:
- Nutrient and organic carbon concentrations increased from north to south, correlating with temperature sum.
- Increased drained areas and peatland proportions in catchments significantly elevated N, P, and TOC concentrations.
- While N and TOC showed increasing trends over time, P concentrations exhibited a decreasing trend.
- Total estimated annual export: 47,300 Mg N, 1780 Mg P, and 1814 Gg TOC.
- Forest management accounts for 17% of N, 35% of P, and 12% of TOC export.
- New estimates for N and P export are over double previous figures, attributed to forest drainage impacts.
- Peatland forests identified as major export hotspots, particularly in the Gulf of Bothnia river basins.
Conclusions:
- Forest drainage significantly elevates nutrient and organic carbon export from Finnish forests.
- Current nutrient export estimates need revision to incorporate long-term effects of forest management practices.
- Peatland forest management requires targeted strategies to mitigate nutrient loading into surface waters.
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