Articles | Volume 12, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-151-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Special issue:
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-151-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Original research article
| 
23 Feb 2026
Original research article |
| 23 Feb 2026
| 23 Feb 2026
Assessing the impact of rewetting agricultural fen peat soil via open drain damming: an agrogeophysical approach
Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Cork, Ireland
HYRES Research Group, Earth and Life Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
Patrick Tuohy
Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Cork, Ireland
Owen Fenton
Teagasc, Crops, Environment and Land-Use Programme, Johnstown Castle, Wexford, Ireland
Mark G. Healy
Civil Engineering and Ryan Institute, College of Science and Engineering, University of Galway, Ireland
Hilary Pierce
HYRES Research Group, Earth and Life Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
Asaf Shnel
Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Cork, Ireland
Eve Daly
HYRES Research Group, Earth and Life Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
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Short summary
We assess the impact of open drain damming to help restore drained peat soils. We measured how water levels and soil moisture changed over time and space using field sensors and geophysical mapping tools. Our results show that the impact of damming is limited to < 20 m on our site. This approach could support efforts to reduce carbon loss and improve the health of peatland landscapes in a practical, scalable way.
We assess the impact of open drain damming to help restore drained peat soils. We measured how...
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