QUANTIFYING GROUNDWATER DYNAMICS IN EXTRACTED PEATLAND: IMPLICATIONS FOR RESTORATION IN CENTRAL LATVIA

Peatlands are crucial carbon sinks, but their degradation through extraction and drainage results in substantial greenhouse gas emissions and ecosystem disruption. This study investigates groundwater level dynamics in a 16.4-hectare extracted peatland in Central Latvia to assess hydrological conditions relevant for restoration. Groundwater levels were monitored from May 2023 to May 2024 using TD-Diver loggers installed in six wells. The data reveal pronounced spatial and seasonal variability, with precipitation and temperature driving significant fluctuations. Water level instability, particularly crucial for paludiculture practices, highlights the need for targeted hydrological management. These findings underscore the importance of rewetting and adaptive water table control to enable successful recultivation. This study enhances understanding of hydrological constraints in peatland restoration and informs strategies for managing such landscapes under changing climatic conditions.