Restoration of peatlands by rewetting has been much studied, but the impact of restoring forested peatlands has on tree stands is little understood. Yet the development of tree stand is crucial for, e.g., climate and biodiversity impacts of rewetting. Trees also impact rewetting through their water use. We study the impacts of rewetting on trees, especially on their water and nutrient uptake, during the first years after rewetting, and the initial development of tree stands following rewetting. Further, we measure the development of tree growth, forest damages, tree death and regeneration and the volume of living and dead trees in peatland forests that have been rewetted 5–30 years before the study. The results of this project are useful for landowners, planners of peatland forestry and rewetting, and to politicians making decisions on land-use. For all of them, the project provides a knowledge basis for well-founded decisions.

2025

2029