Topsoil organic carbon and soil pH across different peatland use types in Co-Offaly, Ireland

Land use changes in temperate peat soils significantly impact topsoil organic carbon (SOC) content and soil pH, with implications for ecosystem functioning and carbon storage. Therefore, assessing soil organic carbon (SOC) and pH is instructive for reducing global carbon emissions. In this study, peat soil samples were collected from 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm depths in Co-Offaly, Ireland, to examine the SOC and soil pH across various peatland use types, including grassland (improved and unimproved), forestry, industrial cutaway, and cutover bog. The results indicate that among the peatland use types, intensive grassland exhibited the lowest SOC content, likely due to intensive management practices such as grazing, fertilizer application, and ploughing. Additionally, the land use change significantly impacts the soil pH, with a trend in soil pH across the different land use types observed as improved grassland > unimproved grassland > industrial cutaway > forestry > cutover. A strong negative correlation was observed between SOC content and soil pH, indicating that increased soil pH levels are associated with decreased SOC in temperate peatlands. This research contributes valuable insights into the intricate interplay between land use, SOC, and soil pH, offering pertinent knowledge for strategies aimed at enhancing global carbon management efforts.