Asynchronous response of the vegetation and hydrology in an 8‐year Andean peatland restoration

Abstract

Northern Andean páramo peatlands are widely drained despite key roles in carbon storage, biodiversity, and water regulation. This study evaluates the effectiveness of ditch blocking in restoring the hydrology and vegetation in a degraded peatland in the Andes. We analyzed 8 years (2018–2025) of water table depth and vegetation data from the Chakana peatland (Ecuador). Ditch blocking raised and stabilized water tables, reducing differences from approximately 33 cm to less than 5 cm. Water retention increased, and precipitation influence on water table changed. Ditches showed clear successional closure toward hydrophytic species (e.g. Eleocharis dombeyana and Caltha sagittata ). Between ditches, richness increased (25–41 species) and wetland‐adapted species expanded, though exotic species persisted. Our results demonstrate that ditch blocking effectively restored hydrological function and promoted the establishment of wetland vegetation, but vegetation changes lagged hydrological rewetting.