@article {Ramchunder:2012:0021-8901:182,
title = "Catchmentscale peatland restoration benefits stream ecosystem biodiversity",
journal = "Journal of Applied Ecology",
parent_itemid = "infobike://bsc/jappl",
publishercode ="bp",
year = "2012",
volume = "49",
number = "1",
publication date ="2012-02-01T00:00:00",
pages = "182-191",
itemtype = "ARTICLE",
issn = "0021-8901",
eissn = "1365-2664",
url = "https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/bsc/jappl/2012/00000049/00000001/art00022",
doi = "doi:10.1111/j.1365-2664.2011.02075.x",
author = "Ramchunder, Sorain J. and Brown, Lee E. and Holden, Joseph",
abstract = "Summary 
1.Drainage of peatdominated catchments across the world has caused widespread degradation of peat and freshwater ecosystem services. In the UK, an estimated \pounds500 million has been spent over the last decade
blocking drains to reverse these changes. The practice raises watertables to induce rewetting and promote peat aggradation. However, the potential benefits for impacted ecosystems such as streams remain unknown.
2.This study examined stream physicochemistry and benthic
macroinvertebrates across peatland catchments with artificial drainage networks, or drains that have recently been blocked, and compared these with intact peatland sites having no history of drainage.
3.Streams in artificially drained catchments were characterised by more benthic
fine particulate organic matter (FPOM), higher suspended sediment concentrations and finer bed sediments (D50) than in drainblocked and intact catchments.
4.Drained sites had higher abundance of Diptera (Simuliidae and Chironomidae) larvae, and lower abundance
of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera larvae, than drainblocked sites. In contrast, streams in drainblocked catchments had macroinvertebrate communities broadly similar to intact sites in terms of taxon richness, overall species composition and community structure. These
changes were associated with lower suspended sediment and benthic FPOM concentrations following drainblocking.
5.
Synthesis and applications. This study has shown changes in the structure of stream benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages linked to increases in benthic
particulate organic matter and suspended sediment following peatland drainage. However, these effects seem to be reversible following catchmentscale restoration by drainblocking. Drainblocking therefore appears to benefit not only peatland soil, vegetation and hydrological
ecosystem services but also stream water quality and biodiversity. The numerous agencies undertaking peatland restoration should consider implementing detailed pre and postblocking monitoring of streams to further improve our understanding of the mechanisms through which peatland
management affects stream biodiversity and biological recovery dynamics, refine drainblocking practices, and inform aquatic conservation and management strategies.",
}