M-ICR007

15. Agriculture

Myrkol - Rewetting of Peatland Soils

Methodology developer

Land og Skógur (Land and Forest)

Sectoral scope

1. Agriculture

ID:

M-ICR007

Summary:

This methodology outlines steps to be taken for the estimation of net greenhouse gas emission reduction from rewetted peatlands.

This methodology is applicable to all drained peatlands for land use change and applicable to all geographical regions (if data is available).

The scope of the methodology is limited to projects aiming at rewetting vegetated, non-forested peatlands (grassland) that have been previously drained for land use change. This proposed methodology is based on “ISO 14064-2 Part 2. Specification with guidance at the project level for quantification, monitoring and reporting of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions or removals and monitoring methods” is developed by Land and Forest Iceland.

The degree of drainage and degradation status of peatlands is variable depending on numerous factors such as drainage characteristics and maintenance, land use history, hydrology, soil and topography of the area. This variability can be detected between and within field sites and should therefore be accounted for, as the response to rewetting can vary accordingly. e.g. rise in water level can be greater in areas close to ditches where drainage effects are greater.

The proposed methodology uses defined habitat types published by The Icelandic Institute of Natural History to account for field drainage variability. The Icelandic habitat type index is based on the EUNIS classification system which is a pan-European system for habitat type identification hosted at the European Environmental Agency. EUNIS is furthermore in line with the EU Habitat Directive 92/43/. It should be noted that project proponents outside Iceland or the European Union, can use national habitat classification systems relevant to their geographical location.

Different habitat types represent dominant plant species which are indicative of land condition in peatlands and the degree of drainage. As an example, a high proportion of dryland species of plants and mosses in a peatland is an indicator of land condition which is strongly correlated to the water level which correlates to GHG emissions.

The methodology will thus use water level depth for GHG emissions estimation as the correlation between the two is considered to be a globally robust relationship in peatlands.

The proposed methodology will identify according to ISO 14064-2 GHG sinks, sources, and reservoirs (SSRs) relevant to rewetting peatlands and includes controlled, related, and affected SSRs (often referred to as leakage) to the GHG project.

Guidelines will furthermore be provided for establishing project boundaries, crediting periods, buffer zones, carbon pools and GHG, baseline scenario, additionality, applicability conditions (peatland areas eligible for carbon crediting) and quantification of GHG emission reductions. The approach is relevant to an example peatland that has been drained in SW Iceland.

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Documentation and public consultation

Methodology Summary

M-ICR007

Methodology Description

Methodology Validation Report

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