Atlantic White-Cedar cones

On-line Proceedings of the
2009 Atlantic White-Cedar Symposium

The Ecology and Management of
Atlantic White-Cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) Ecosystems

A Symposium held on June 9, 10, and 11, 2009 at the
City Hotel and Bistro in Greenville, North Carolina - USA

Table of Contents and Conference LInks

Carbon Sequestration Benefits of Peatland Restoration: Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge Cooperative Restoration Project

Sara Ward, Tom Augspurger, Mike Wicker and David Kitts, US Fish and Wildlife Service; Eric Hinesley, NC State University, Department of Horticultural Science /h3>

Presented by Sara Ward

As pocosins southeast of Lake Phelps, North Carolina, were drained for farming and peat mining, oxidation of peat led to accelerated release of carbon and nitrogen to the atmosphere and adjacent waters. When these lands became part of Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, managers began restoration. Carbon and nitrogen retention can attract new partners (such as those interested in sequestering pollutants associated with climate change) to expand restoration of ecosystems that historically supported Atlantic white-cedar. We synthesized primary literature and location-specific research to estimate carbon and nitrogen sequestration on restored peatlands. The total retention potential is estimated as approximately 200 pounds [90 kg] of nitrogen/acre/yr and 6500 pounds [2900 kg] of carbon/acre/yr. For carbon, our estimate includes the amount of soil carbon retained following re-saturation that otherwise would be lost by oxidation (6100 pounds carbon/acre/yr), the carbon retained in peat as soil genesis is re-established (230 pounds carbon/acre/yr), and the amount in the aboveground biomass (140 pounds carbon/acre/yr). About 7500 acres [3000 hectares] have been restored to date which will result in retention of about 48 million pounds [22,000 metric tons] of carbon and 1.5 million pounds [700 metric tons] of nitrogen per year. From our experience, restoration projects can be achieved at a cost of $130/acre and would be equivalent to $11/ton of CO2. There are additional restoration needs on and adjacent to the refuge as well as in altered peatlands throughout North America. A three-year verification study of our estimates will begin in summer 2009.
Proceedings Table of Contents and Conference Links