PEATLANDS International 2/2012

IPC 2012 Facts and Figures IPS becoming active in China Western Peatlands in Ireland Humic Lakes in Wigry, Poland Oil Palm Plantations in SE Asia Peatland Rewetting in Germany 70Y Geological Survey in Finland GEOHannover 2012

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Editorial: The International Peat Congress in Stockholm Publisher was a success! 3 From the President’s Desk: A new term – options and priorities 5 International Peat Society IPS Award of Excellence 2012 to Professor Piotr Ilnicki 22 Kauppakatu 19 B 31, 3rd floor About the Award of Excellence 23 FIN-40100 Jyväskylä, Finland The IPS becoming active in China 24 E-mail: [email protected] IPS Membership Application Form 47 Web: www.peatsociety.org New IPS members 59 In memoriam: Leo Schipper (1949-2012) 63 Editor-in-Chief Like the IPS on Facebook 63 Jaakko Silpola, Secretary General mobile: +358 50 406 4836 Congress, symposia and other events [email protected] This was the International Peat Congress 2012! 8 Assistant to the IPC 2012 - Themes and sessions - what was discussed Editor-in-Chief and what have we learnt from each other? 10 Feedback from the Congress - did you like it, too? 20 Susann Warnecke, Notes from a German peatland symposium - GEOHannover 34 Communications Manager Report on the German seminar “Rewetting of raised bogs - mobile: +358 40 418 4075 a model of success?” 36 [email protected] Managing the Western Peatlands - Irish Peat Society Annual Meeting, Study Tour and Seminar 40 Editorial Board IPS Annual Assembly 2013 at ISHS-IPS GroSci in Leiden 49 Technical Meeting on an Integrated Management Plan for Peatland Management in Southeast Asia 50 Paul Short, Canada International Symposium on Wild Fire and Carbon Juhani Päivänen, Finland Management in Peat-Forest in Indonesia 54 Michael Trepel, Germany Peat and peatland events 64 Catherine Farrell, Ireland Lech Szajdak, Poland Anne Jelle Schilstra, the Netherlands From and for the industry Marie Kofod-Hansen, Sweden Allan Robertson, United Kingdom English Growing Media Task Force issues its final report 26 Tom Malterer, USA Inefficiency banished, peat plant increases capacity - Peltracom case history 42 Layout Status of Peatlands and Peat in Finland today - 70 Years of Peatland Research at the Geological Survey of Finland 48 Susann Warnecke, IPS Secretariat Yliveto Oy Research reports

Printed by Humic lakes of Wigry National Park (NE Poland) – development and expectations for the future 31 Saarijärven Offset Oy Carbon Accumulation Shows the Interplay between the Finland, in January 2013 Natural Succession of Mires and Climate Change 44 Steep Increase in Oil Palm Plantations on Peat in Southeast Asia 56 Cover photos Book reviews At the Congress. Photos: Susann Warnecke, Hannu Salo, Riitta Korhonen Soundly about peatland forestry, Peatland Ecology and Forestry – a Sound Approach 60 To order Peatlands International, or to The Encyclopedia of Agrophysics - some aspects of advertise in the magazine, please visit peat and peatlands 61 www.peatsociety.org/publications/ A quick scan of peatlands in Central and Eastern Europe 62 peatlands-international or contact the Editors at [email protected]. ISSN 1455-8491 1 At the Post-Congress tour. Photo: Tuula Larmola

Even on a bog there was not enough room to take a group picture of all Here are just a few of them. having been with us in Stockholm! Stockholm, Sweden 3-6 June2012 14th International Peat Congress

602

Thanks for

participants

. Editorial Jaakko Silpola

. participants Even on a bog there was not602 enough room to take a group picture of all Thanks for Here are just a few of them. having been with us in Stockholm!

The International Peat Congress in Stockholm was a success!

The 14th international Peat Congress At a glimpse, the three most as the IPS as its hosting organization, in Stockholm 2012 “Peatlands in attractive sessions with approved covers all aspects of peat and Balance” treated themes ranging abstracts were: peatlands. from basic science and ecology to the economic and social implications of • Carbon balance & GHG fluxes in All available short abstracts were human use of peatlands. In addition, disturbed and cut-over peatlands published in the printed Book the Congress also had one overriding (Chair: Eeva-Stiina Tuittila), of Abstracts. Most of them had objective – to focus on the practical altogether 39 abstracts advanced into extended abstracts management of peatlands. • Restoration, rehabilitation and and were consequently published after-use of disturbed peatlands in the ”Proceedings of the 14th I am proud to report that the (Chair: Catherine Farrell), International Peat Congress, Congress was one of the largest altogether 28 abstracts Stockholm, 2012”. These were given throughout the IPS history. It brought • Chemical, physical and biological to all registered participants in the 602 participants from 33 countries characteristics of peat (Chair: form of memory sticks. Unfortunately and in total 58 sponsors, of which Jürgen Schoenherr), altogether we had some technical problems 24 were exhibitors, to Stockholm. 26 abstracts with the content of the sticks but - The scientific program consisted of thanks to the Internet - by now all 409 approved oral presentations The total number of different these should be solved. Six months and posters. Because of a fairly large scientific themes dealt with at the after the Congress, in January 2013, number of late cancellations, exactly Congress was 28! This great variety the Proceedings will be available for 337 of these were presented in of topics shows how widely the the public at the member database Stockholm. International Peat Congress, as well of the IPS website.

3 and seminars, must have a more interactive program with more workshops and well-prepared panel discussions. Out of each session also conclusions or a common synthesis should be prepared. Examples for this can be found in this magazine.

There is also one matter we would like to pay attention to: It is a little surprising that only 28% of the students participated in the Congress for networking. I would hereby like to encourage all students and young people to bravely participate in discussions and social events in order to meet new people and make new connections. This might be essential for your future work.

Thanking the outgoing Executive Board of the IPS: To give you better insights, we have Secretary General Jaakko Silpola, EB members Björn summarised the Congress survey Hånell and Paul Short, Communications Manager Susann Warnecke, President Donal Clarke, EB members results in a special article that can Jutta Zeitz, Erki Niitlaan, Lech Szajdak and Valerijs be studied in this issue of Peatlands Kozlovs. Photo: Stockholm City Congress Center International.

Thank you all! The panel debate “SRPM, Strategy for at the same time either thanked for Responsible Peatland Management” or criticized e.g. “Too much about As a conclusion, implementing the on the last Congress day started the peat industry” stood against “Not Congress required considerable with two presentations about how enough about the peat industry”. To resources in terms of finances, the Strategy has been received and put these answers into perspective, work and dedication, but was also implemented in different countries. we should remember that e.g. only a lot of fun. The whole peat family The questions discussed during the 28 presentations out of 337 abstracts of the IPS would like to thank the panel debate were formulated by and posters dealt with horticultural organizers as well as sponsors, Tord Magnusson and Paul Short. Nine and energy peat production and use. session Chairs, key note speakers, panel participants presented their session speakers and poster holders views during the lively discussion. However, what we clearly need and finally all volunteers. You made to develop is the structure and great contributions in supporting and Very positive and constructive timetable of the scientific program. organizing this splendid event with feedback How to enable visitors to get a high level scientific program, 14 information on as many as possible field trips as well as two pre and post Three weeks after the Congress, the things at the same time? We also Congress tours. IPS Secretariat launched a participant need to pay more attention to survey on the Internet. Altogether the content and function of the And finally, in addition to the 139 participants (23% of all USB sticks providing the Congress Congress organizers, I would like delegates) responded to the lengthy Proceedings. Maybe there is even a to thank all participants for the questionnaire. Out of them 47% new and better technology available marvellous social program and were researchers; 29% worked for a in 2016? atmosphere as well as the warm company, 14% were students, and feeling of friendship during all about 10% involved in other affairs. The organizers and session Chairs Congress days! To our great pleasure, the great reported on their huge work load majority, some 87% of the replying for the Proceedings - we should not See you soon again at one of the IPS participants, said that they were blame them. We simply have to have events, satisfied with the Congress in some more time when preparing general! This is a very good result. the Proceedings in order to avoid Only a quite small share of those who mistakes. replied, 5%, were dissatisfied. Jaakko Silpola Based on the feedback, it is also Interestingly enough, in the open- evident that future Congresses of Secretary General of the IPS ended questions many issues were the IPS, as well as other symposia email: [email protected]

4 PEATLANDS International 2/2012 From the President’s Desk Björn Hånell

A new term – options and priorities

Time flies! Our 14th International Peat Congress is already several months behind us. Over 600 peat family members from 33 countries came to the Swedish capital. More than 400 oral and poster presentations were submitted and the proceedings represent a treasure of the most recent research results in our field! The Congress marks the end of a 4-year work period, but it also fully opens the doors for a new challenging term. What did we accomplish between Tullamore 2008 and Stockholm 2012 - and what are our priorities now? IPS’ new President Björn Hånell (light grey suit) with the A new Executive Board (EB) of the IPS newly elected Executive Board in Stockholm on 8 June. Left was formed in Stockholm and the EB to right: Paul Short, Canada; Samu Valpola, Finland; Jack itself immediately served us a priority Rieley, United Kingdom (2nd Vice President); Björn Hånell, – on balance. Gender balance. I am Sweden (President); Guus van Berckel (1st Vice President), the very pleased with and proud of each Netherlands; Lech Szajdak, Poland; Valerijs Kozlovs, Latvia; and every one of my fellow members Erki Niitlaan, Estonia; Donal Clarke, Ireland and Secretary in the new Board – but it has no General Jaakko Silpola, Finland. Photo: Susann Warnecke woman representation. As such a situation cannot be accepted, we shall work for an EB gender balance transit for us – now we shall assist start in 2013. An update of the data worth mentioning. with guidelines for the practical on the world’s peatlands is highly implementation of the SRPM. desired, certainly not only by the IPS, Although priorities have changed, but we should initiate the project the basic long-term task of the IPS Survey of peatlands and find the resources (funding and remains the same – to work for a partners) to realize it. science-based management of all the Striving for a management strategy world’s peatlands for environmental, that targets the world’s peatlands For our members economic and social benefits. The goes hand in hand with a wish to, most important accomplishment as accurate as possible, assess the Our aim to strengthen the role of in this effort during the previous extension and status of all peat- the IPS on the international scene term was definitely the finalizing covered land. The new information remains as well. Members give and publishing of the document that now is available, since Eino strength. Increasing membership is ”Strategy for Responsible Peatland Lappalainen finished his compilation a prioritized issue, and we also want Management” (SRPM). The major of the Global Peat Resources, to take better care of the members step along the road of putting the published by the IPS about 15 years we already have. The new IPS principles of the book ”Wise Use of ago, will soon be further expanded. webpage at www.peatsociety.org is Mires and Peatlands” into practice For example, a national level project a recent accomplishment that serves has been taken! This means a priority to survey the peatlands in China will both these aspirations. On this very

5 dynamic site it is easy to become an individual member, and the services in the members’ section are greatly improved – and keep improving!

Forestry and Agriculture

Speaking of our members: It is a core characteristic of the IPS to respect and have members among all peatland stakeholders, such as e.g. private landowners, practitioners, scientists, conservationists, and industry. We do have industry members, but only from the peat industry. It is truly discouraging that we do not yet have industry representation from agriculture and forestry. Area wise these two branches are by far the greatest Professor Hånell welcoming all participants peatland users. The responsible of the International Peat Congress in management of peatlands, Stockholm. Photo: Susann Warnecke advocated in our strategy document (SRPM), does not only refer to peat production but to all forms of use, Huan Ying, China! Committee will mirror the strategies certainly including agriculture and and work plans we soon shall meet forestry. The strategy means acting Among our aims is also to have and decide on. locally after thinking globally. So, the largest and most important are agriculture and forest industries peatland countries in the world as Moving on against responsible peatland our members, each with its own management? Or disapprove to National Committee of our Society. These are only a few matters on the thinking globally when acting locally? Since the establishment of new priority list that will be important I do not think so. I rather believe we National Committee requires more pieces in the build-up of our near- in the IPS have an information and than webpage services, I and the future strategy. We have regarded dissemination task we should give IPS Secretary General visited Beijing the strategy for this new term more priority to. and Changchun last September important than to deal with at for assisting with and facilitating regular EB meetings only. During Internal challenges a Chinese membership. The 25-27 January 2013 we shall determination shown by our Chinese therefore have a 2-day meeting in Another priority, underlined in the hosts to realize the membership is Amsterdam for a going-through and Resolution from the Stockholm impressive and I would like to take thorough discussions of the most Congress, is to critically review this opportunity to thank them once important issues that will be deciding and perhaps change our internal again for their friendliness and great on what we shall do, and how. In structure so that it, better than hospitality. the best of worlds, the meeting will the present, favours initiatives for lead us to a platform from where we activities. A more activity-friendly Climate change can send clearer and more targeted structure, as already developed in messages for a better understanding some of our Commissions, will offer For several reasons it is crucial of our work. Such ammunition is interested persons better possibilities that our work on climate change, needed to fulfil the above-mentioned for participating and take initiatives in carbon emissions and carbon stores information and dissemination task. the IPS work. The Commission Chair continues. The carbon content in all should feel the joy and strength by peatlands is more than two times With combined efforts I am having a core team to share the tasks greater than the carbon stored convinced we shall get a good start of with. I am sure that this will lead to in all the worlds forests. Instead the work period in front of us. Before a greater number of IPS sponsored of establishing a new (10th) IPS we really get on to it I would like to meetings. Such a structure, visible on Commission on climate change wish all of you in the peat family a our webpage of course, can make an we decided to work with a Cross- good start of the new year. attractive space for the young ones Commission Standing Committee to find us, and work with us. We on this topic, since it appears on Björn Hånell need them – we must let the young practically all Commission agendas. IPS President ones in! The priorities of the Climate Change email: [email protected]

7 Review of the SRPM. Susann Warnecke

This was the International

Peat Congress 2012! Some saw even the Royal Family. Yvonne Felber

Text: Susann Warnecke

Probably most IPS members are involved in the preparations for the quadrennial International Peat Congresses - more or less, in their own countries or internationally, with an own presentation or organizing one of the exciting jigsaw pieces of the event in the background. All of us were excited and finally it was 3 - 8 June and time to head to Sweden.

By plane, car, train or boat - the excellent location of the Swedish capital made it very attractive to some 600 peat experts from Europe, Southeast Asia and North America. Even although some found the place Excursion day and the Congress Center. Yvonne Felber

quite expensive, after all most were Field research. Yvonne Felber impressed by the level of service, safety, cleanliness and sunshine we enjoyed during the Congress week.

Naturally days went by at rocket speed. Starting with a welcome reception and registration on Monday, participants found themselves very quickly in one of the keynote sessions and following special interest presentations on all possible topics related to peat and peatlands, from biodiversity to growing The most important organisers: Gunilla Öberg media, from peat energy to its use in and Marie Kofod-Hansen. Nick van de Griendt medicine and much more. Tropical peatlands, carbon emissions and climate-related studies remained At the “Nobel hall”. Hannu Salo the hot topics of the peat science world also in Stockholm.

Between sessions, the participants spent their time at the company exhibition - a Orangutan. Celia Zanin big thanks to all committed sponsors - Congress audience. Susann Warnecke dropping by at the poster or art room, having coffee or simply greeting one old colleague after another - it seems indeed that being a peat researcher or user is a lifelong task and “one knows each other”. The open atmosphere made it also possible to get to know new acquaintances, but active networking possibilities can of course always be widened for future conferences.

8 PEATLANDS International 2/2012 Review of the SRPM. Susann Warnecke Energy peat field trip. Hannu Salo Panel discussion. Hannu Salo Commission II meeting. Susann Warnecke

Inviting the IPS to Malaysia in 2016. Celia Zanin

IPS staff ready to go! Celia Zanin

Nigel Roulet’s presentation. Celia Zanin Archipelago excursion. Nick van de Griendt IPS Poster. Susann Warnecke

IPS Honours. Susann Warnecke

dinner with new and old colleagues! As

Music everywhere. Yvonne Felber highlights of the evening, IPS honours were granted to the winner of the 2012 Award of Excellence, Professor Piotr Luckily because of the relatively machines, restored production sites, Ilnicki, and three Honorary members, small location, moving from one tame cows and even peat beer. Jean-Yves Daigle, Tom Malterer and session to another was relatively Juhani Päivänen. easy and brought even some physical Thursday became a highlight for exercise as there were plenty of stairs many. After the scientific sessions The final Congress morning, on Friday, to master. However, the splendid the IPS National Representatives included the important panel discussion lunches filled up all hungry stomachs met for their preparation meeting for on the review of the Strategy for Res­ - and brought another opportunity the Annual Assembly where also the ponsible Peatland Management and to get in touch with potential candidates for the Executive Board the Annual and General Assemblies of cooperation partners. introduced themselves. And then the IPS. Finally it was time to hand over most guests got ready for the official the Congress hat to Malaysia for 2016. Wednesday was excursion day. Our Congress Dinner. Swedish colleagues had prepared the Thanks to everybody for having been incredible variety of 14 field trips - We were invited to the Solliden with us and we hope to meet you again indeed difficult to choose from and restaurant at Skansen up above during the numerous activities of the all with a very interesting program. beautiful Stockholm. Music and IPS, also in non-Congress years. As for the sessions, one could not delicious snacks greeted us, and be at more than one place at a time! we discovered one more time the Susann Warnecke Afterwards we heard about beautiful hidden singing and dancing abilities IPS Communications Manager archipelago mires, advanced of the organising team. What a nice [email protected]

9 Themes and sessions - what was discussed and what have we learnt from each other?

Texts: Session Chairs

but unfortunately no presenter mean. However, in the surface layer Session I and subtheme I.2: showed up. However, karst related of 30-50 cm the increment appears Inventory, stratigraphy and mires were presented in a poster to be much higher, but it must be from Poland. Instead we got a pointed out that this layer is not yet conservation of mires and presentation on a large scale peat but decomposing phytomass. peatlands experiment for heating soil and Variations in humidity over time have plants. Huge chambers covering consequences on peat development. also the tree layer are put up and so In the general theme I session far only being installed on site and This was investigated with high addressing common items for within a year or two starting warming temporal resolution and precision Inventory, Stratigraphy and experiments to study the influences based on dendroclimatic analysis of Conservation of Mires and Peatlands on across multiple spatial scales subfossil Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) there were six oral presentations including: microbial communities, from raised bogs in southern and twelve posters, and for the bryophyte populations, various Sweden in combination with peat sub-theme on Mire Hydrology higher plant types, and some faunal stratigraghy. Remarkably strong and Hydrochemistry there were groups. This comprehensive project cross-correlations between ring- eleven oral presentations and nine is, of course, carried out in US. width records from Sweden and posters. In the general session, quite Germany, separated by 500-700 km, some expectations were directed Other presentations in this demonstrate that large-scale climate to an announced presentation on session were related to historical dynamics had particularly significant mires of karst hydrology in Iran accumulation of peat and its relations impacts on peatland pine growth. to humidity. In Karelia, Eastern Further presentations were directed Finland, on inventory and databases for stratigraphical Finnish peatland resources and studies also peat chemistry in Russia was showed shown. Poster presentations included increments classification, geochemistry and being up to 0.8 vegetation in spring-fed fens. Also a mm/yr in the number of posters addressed peat deepest mires resources, especially for Ireland and while in the Finland. The inventory in Finland aapamires and partly used photo methods and a eccentric bogs new triangle method. From Canada of flat terrain it carbon accumulation was shown. was between 0.2 and 0.5 In the session on hydrology and mm/yr as a hydrochemistry, interactions were presented between hydrological conditions and surrounding land with effects on on-site vegetation for mires. Tord Magnusson and Mats B. Nilsson taking samples from a Drainage in agriculture peatland near Umeå in Northern fields outside a restoration Sweden. Photo: Susann Warnecke bog in Ireland influenced the hydrostatical pressure with consequences for water levels in the bog. Rewetting

10 PEATLANDS International 2/2012 of industrial cut-over peatlands could alter the runoff regime with decreased low surface water flow in downstream watercourses.

Hydrochemistry and origin of water showed effects on the established vegetation where special Texts: Session Chairs conditions occurred in the lagg zone. In peatland carbon turnover, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) losses play an important role and from agriculture grassland in There were topics for everyone at the Germany, the importance Congress. Here part of the audience of farming activities shortly before the opening of the influenced losses, where event. Photo: Susann Warnecke higher intensity gave large effects. surface peat soil or peat To understand the DOC dynamics, moss layer. and in other factors such as the soil water the shallow dynamics and the peat quality should Water quality in the coast of three samples. DIC concentrations were also be taken into account. These habitats in Benghazi was investigated also positively related to the grassland peatlands also contribute showing differences in conditions and conductivity of the pore water within to large losses of nitrogen where pollution situations. and between the mires, reflecting nitrate is dominating but organic the influence of groundwater rich in nitrogen (DON) could also contribute In poster presentations could be calcium cations. DOC concentrations with up to 15% of total nitrogen. found studies on hydrology of varied to a less extent, but were Nitrogen and nitrate studies in peat natural and managed peatlands. highest in the oldest mire. columns were also presented in a Hydrological modelling based on poster. meteorological data was included. Palaeo-ecological investigations In peat harvesting areas in Finland, used sterol and n-alkane biomarker The role of peatlands for water influence of ditching showed small or composition of modern fen purification was claimed to be no permanent influence on mire lake plants showed that the chemical without controversy but it could water level and quality. Also systems fingerprints of fen plants, is not as possibly be disputed. However, in for continuous monitoring studying straightforward as for bog plants. certain environments, anaerobic harvesting, peatland forestry and Also storage and turnover of heavy transformation processes, both less natural peatlands have been installed metals were presented in a poster matter loads and high retention for the TASO project in Finland. Pre- comparing concentrations in various times, may increase self-purification. conditions to wetland restoration layers where input of water in Therefore, active implementation of in Scotland where ditch blocking is autumn had changed concentrations. peatlands for water treatment may planned, will be a followed up after The highest increase was measured conserve and restore ecosystem measure. Climate change related for Ca, Mg, Zn, Cd, Ba and Tl, much services with respect to the surface research had been conducted in lower increase was found for Fe, As water system. perma-frost sites in a sub-arctic and Pb. peatland showing that it is critical From Japan, water flows through to link the significance of change All in all, a wide range of subjects peat were presented and mainly from the physical through to the were presented and these two lateral flow occurred with the biogeochemical conditions. themes were only a small part of all exception of spring fens where the IPC 2012 content. vertical flow was found. Only the In two young Swedish peatlands, shallow groundwater supports high formation of inorganic (DIC) Professor Dr Lars Lundin moor vegetation. It was concluded and organic (DOC) carbon were Department of Soil and Environment Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences that to save the oligotrophic investigated related to a nuclear P.O. Box 7014 groundwater in the high moor, it is waste repository. DIC concentrations SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden important to maintain groundwater where related to the age and the email: [email protected] in the thin surface layer which can depth of the mires, with the lowest phone: +46 18 673109 mobile: +46 70 373 6243 easily flow to low moor through the concentrations in the oldest mire

11 years Chinese experts have been developing and improving a compressed growing medium in tablet form in which plants are seeded. All bogs (16 km²) in China are protected, therefore only fen peat is available for local media production.

Thanks to all who participated and contributed to the lively and interactive discussions during the course of the Commission II sessions, not least to the 50 Commission II members who attended the Peat harvesting machinery was Commission II meeting on Sunday presented, among others, during the with valuable contributions to energy peat field trip. Photo: Hannu Salo pressing issues i.e. peat certification, peat production, Life Cycle Analyses in horticulture, but that of growing media constituents, etc. Session II it cannot be foreseen when this growing media constituent will Gerald Schmilewski and subthemes II.1 and V.2: ever be available in reasonably large Klasmann-Deilmann GmbH Moorgutsweg 2 enough quantities to make its mark Peat for Horticulture, Energy D-26683 Saterland-Sedelsberg, Germany as a peat substitute. phone: +49 4492 82775 and Other Uses mobile: +49 171 693 8582 At session II.1 a Finnish presentation gerald.schmilewski@klasmann-deilmann. com, www.klasmann-deilmann.com For the last two decades or so highlighted the possibility of there has been a strong trend to harvesting Sphagnum biomass as substitute or even phase out peat a growing media constituent – an Subtheme II.2: Peat for Energy in a number of countries. With interesting alternative to Sphagnum these ambitious developments, any Farming which, of course, requires This sub-session was amongst the achievements and drawbacks are the abundance of regional mires and first to kick-off on the opening day most interesting to follow and – as at legal permits to harvest. Another of proceedings, and was very well earlier International Peat Congresses talk illustrated the difficulties a attended with standing-room only. – where most interesting to follow! sphagnicol fungus (Tephrocybe In all, nine papers were presented palustris) can cause when farming (as well as three posters). The As Sphagnum Farming is of common Sphagnum, elucidating one over the programme overall was indicative interest to industry and after-use quality problems that might occur. of the current state of play in the stakeholders, a joint sub-session industry and the issues and trends (V.2) was arranged by Commissions Attempts to phase out peat in that are influencing the current and II and V. Working on new ways horticulture by 2030 in England and future outlook for the industry. The of farming Sphagnum experts the possibilities and actual need/ oral presentations were scheduled from the University of Greifswald, nonsense behind this debate was into three sub-themes as follows: Germany, reported on their newest presented and adversely discussed findings growing Sphagnum on bog with much enthusiasm in Stockholm. • policy and strategy grassland, establishing Sphagnum However, the past and future • environmental aspects propagules from spores and, storing commitment of industry to further • fuelling options propagules at low temperatures. engage in R&D on materials other Such newer methods might be than peat was emphasized. Under “policy and strategy” Brandel’s more promising, since donor peat paper discussed sustainability and moss is practically not available in Also other papers underlined the peat, Lindholm dealt with the related central Europe. Another possibly importance of peat for growing debate in Finland and its impact on even more promising, is a way of media production by presenting the policy while Reilly’s presentation obtaining Sphagnum by in vitro results of comparative trials and outlined the likely direction of policy cultivation. Other paper and poster demonstrating that the color of peat development in Ireland regarding the presentations reflected the latest can be used as an indicator of its future use of peat for power. Sphagnum Farming achievements chemical and physical properties. in Germany, Finland and Ireland. In the next sub-theme In discussions industry pointed out In China too, the value of peat “environmental aspects” papers that Sphagnum can be well used for horticulture is evident: for from Tuukkanen and Marttila

12 PEATLANDS International 2/2012 covered erosion and sedimentation due to drainage runoff from peat harvesting sites in Finland; Holmgren dealt with the climate impact of energy peat utilisation from a life cycle perspective.

Finally, the differences in outlook were exemplified by the last three presenters: Nagornov’s presentation dealt Growing Media presentations and the RHP workshop were followed with peat as a fuel, by many horticultural peat experts. Burvall treated on co- Photo: Susann Warnecke combustion of reed canary grass and milled peat, with Wichtmann suggesting was full of people from different ways of substituting peatland- countries. 30 years ago there were Thinking of the produced biomass (paludiculture) as a lot of presentations about peat next IPS Congress in Malaysia 2016, an energy crop to replace peat. harvesting technology, but this was I hope that there would be a lot of the only presentation of its kind at presentations about new harvesting The essential output from the the Congress. People especially from technologies. If we want to harvest session may be stated as follows: the Eastern Europe and Baltic countries peat in a responsible way, we need to peat energy industry, in response were very keen to know more about have new, environmentally friendly to increasing “environmentalism”, the technology, because there are production technologies to be taken both in the form of environmental plans to increase the use of peat fuel into use in the near future. controls relating to emission-related in those countries. impacts as well as from policy Kari Mutka development and societal pressure Biodiili Oy The presented Multilayer technology Jyväskylä, Finland in the area of sustainability, is would increase productivity and email: [email protected] indicating a progression towards decrease weather dependence, peat displacement by, or co-fuelling which are very important for fuel with, biomass and that his is more production. pronounced in Western Europe than Session V and subtheme V.II: in eastern countries. The other presentation was given Restoration, rehabilitation by Frans Haapaniemi from Helsinki Pat Fitzgerald and after-use of disturbed Bord na Móna University. He was talking about the Newbridge, Co. Kildare, Ireland potential of agricultural peatlands peatlands email: [email protected] for peat production in the Seinäjoki region in Finland. In many cases the It is always interesting following area of peatland is small and the the trends in the development Subtheme II.3. Peat harvesting depth of peat layer shallow, which of restoration and rehabilitation and processing technology lowers the peat production potential. techniques and no less than this year as the presentations during There were only two presentations In some cases there has been Commission V sessions at the 14th in the session, because Russian mineral soil added on the top of International Peat Congress in speakers were not able to come to the peatland, which decreases the Stockholm this year has shown. Stockholm. quality of peat for energy due to high ash content. However, there is Beginning with those bogs that The first presentation was given by some potential for peat production. have been harvested for industrial Arvo Leinonen, Senior Scientist from In some other countries, like the peat production, there is a clear the VTT Technical Research Centre of Baltics and Germany, agricultural distinction between those sites that Finland. The title of the presentation peatlands are a significant reserve have only the upper Sphagnum peat was “The development of new for peat production. Also for climatic layers removed for horticultural peat, sod peat production technology and biodiversity reasons, agricultural as is largely the case for the industrial in Finland”. This presentation was peatlands would be ideal for peat use Canadian peatlands and those very interesting and the room harvesting. where the peat is taken down to the

13 Sphagnum could be a were explored. One very interesting feasible commercial presentation showed how peat is venture and after-use being used to cap a former landfill for the millions of site in the Netherlands. Please look hectares of drained to the Proceedings of the conference agricultural peatlands for the full text supporting the across Germany. presentations. We witnessed novel approaches Thanks to all who participated such as cultivation and contributed to the lively and of Sphagnum on interactive discussions during the rafts in flooded course of the Commission V sessions, mining areas and not least the Commission V members ambitious harvesting meeting that had further valuable methods using contributions from Sweden, Peru, tailored catamarans. Finland and Germany. I would like to Innovative techniques welcome Dr Roxane Andersen who from the UK and is currently working in the North of Germany are showing Scotland as the new Vice Chair of how propagules can Commission V. be cultivated in the lab, which would Catherine Farrell compensate for the Bord na Móna Kerstin Berglund showing the lack of available Newbridge, Co. Kildare, Ireland subsidence of peat in agriculturally email: [email protected] used peatlands, from 1918 to now. sources of Sphagnum Photo: Susann Warnecke in natural situations in some countries. Session VI: Balneological, underlying A number of presentations medical and therapeutical fen layers, as in the case of bogs outlined the value of rewetting of harvested for energy peat such peatlands, particularly in instances use of peat in countries such as Sweden and where Sphagnum re-growth is not Ireland. favoured by alkaline peat layers and The session of the balneological, hydrology. The value of long term medical and therapeutical use of peat The Canadian Sphagnum transfer monitoring is clear and we saw great was held on 5 June. Because of the method has been shown to be examples of the recovery following late cancellation of the presentation successful in returning a growing rehabilitation of bogs in Poland, of Dr. Mall Orru from Estonia there Sphagnum layer to former bare peat Ireland, Sweden, Finland and Latvia. were only three presentations. areas. Although the results do vary The additional benefits of rewetting from site to site, it is continuously were highlighted – such as the value The first talk, held by Mrs Yvonne being refined and developed to cover for breeding waders in Ireland (a Felber from Germany, dealt with all aspects of the peatland – from species otherwise in decline and in the UV-B protective effect of humic lagg to pool systems. It was very need of conservation management) substances providing the basis for interesting to see how this method and other ecosystem services such as the development of a peat lipstick. has now been trialled in Poland, carbon sequestration. Her studies have been collaborated Estonia and Ireland. In each case with Monika Guhr, Renate Klöcking, there are varying degrees of success There were also very useful Roland Schubert and Jürgen but the trials will continue to be presentations about how scientists Schoenherr at University of Applied monitored and hopefully the results working on restoration and Sciences Zittau/Görlitz, Germany. will reported at coming meetings. rehabilitation are working at the policy development level and Mrs Felber had sent her abstract This Sphagnum transfer method and interacting with peat producers and under the name Seel but was methods for cultivating Sphagnum local communities living on the edges married after that. The presentation both in the lab and in the field of peatland sites. In our discussions was a very interesting one and for commercial purposes was it was agreed that in order to it will be published in the Mires further explored in the sub-session deliver successful restoration and and Peat journal later on. In her Commission V.I (a joint session rehabilitation projects, interaction presentation we were told that with Commission II) on Sphagnum with policy makers, practitioners Herpes labialis is a worldwide spread farming. The pioneering work carried and communities is critical. This can recurring viral infection caused by out by the students at the University be a challenge for scientists but a the herpes simplex virus type 1. A of Greifswald is showing that farming range of communication measures major provocation factor for virus

14 PEATLANDS International 2/2012 reactivation Peat bath products were shown is UV-B also at the company exhibition, by radiation. Raselina Ltd. Photo: Susann Warnecke Humic acids (HA) known for their antiviral and UV-B protecting effects are considered promising candidates for developing a photo-protective lipstick which should minimize or even prevent the risk of UV-induced recurrences.

In the study, UV/VIS spectra of natural humic acids, synthetic humic like acids substances and various basic lipstick components were analyzed to find out the most appropriate UV-absorbing ingredients for the product under training session, 8 times during the decomposition of peat, thickness of development. The selected humic season with intervals varying from the peat deposits, subsoil types and substances were then tested in 17 to 66 days. They had a whole hydrological conditions. The peat different concentrations for their body peat mask in the sauna, rested samples were taken by the peat corer UV-B protective effect in human and enjoyed a supper afterwards. method for more detailed analyses. U937 cells. The peat sauna is a variant of the The variation of the pH-value, ash ordinary sauna. In the peat sauna, content, sulphur content and water For this purpose, a special the whole body is covered by peat content were typical for the natural arrangement of two UV-transparent and then clients stay 20 minutes in peat types. The variation of the cell coculture plates (one on top sauna of 50-60 ºC heat and at least amounts of humic acids and fulvic of the other) has been used with 55% humidity. acids were quite large compared the cells in the lower and the test with the results of Finnish peat substances – acting as UV-filters – on During this season, a player of the researches. the upper plate. UV-B irradiation was FC Haka team was absent from the carried out in the microprocessor- game in average 7.6 times. The mean The results certified that properties controlled UV irradiation system absence per injury was 2.6 days. This of well decomposed peat are quite Bio-Sun (Vilber Lourmat). The is less than a half of the absence/ similar in these countries. The results show the expected high injury, which the FC HJK team physical and chemical properties of absorption degree of all humic acids (Helsinki) had during the season the peat samples were at the same in the UV-B range, but revealed 2008. Every team member found the level as in Finnish peat types. The substantial differences in the UV-B peat sauna very relaxing and good for heat retention capacity was very absorption of the lipstick proved to the spirit of the team. The research good for all tested peat samples. be unexpectedly high and should is continuing in the future. To Doctor However, according to the results not be neglected. Cell counting Larva’s team belong Physiotherapist of these researches there were also results 24, 48 and 72 hours after UV Erkka Heinä and Senior Scientist some peat deposits not suitable for exposition demonstrated significant Riitta Korhonen. balneological purposes. dose-dependent UV-B protective effects of the tested HA similar to The third presentation was held by Riitta Korhonen p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) which Senior Scientist Riitta Korhonen. Helsinki, Finland email: [email protected] was used as positive reference She reported about the results of substance. the balneological peat research of some mires and peat types in The second presentation was Estonia, the Republic of Korea and Session VII, subtheme VII.1: made by Dr. Leena Larva about the Northern Ireland in 2005 and 2008. experiences of the Finnish Peat Altogether 8 mires were investigated Peatland forestry and surface Sauna for athletes. The research has for balneological purposes and 22 water quality been carried out with soccer players peat samples were tested in the in Valkeakoski town in Southern laboratory. Invited speaker Prof. emer. Hannu Finland from February to October in Mannerkoski of the University of the season 2011. The FC Haka team In the field, the balneological peat Eastern Finland gave an excellent (18 players) came to the Sportspa researches concentrated on the mire review on the extent of different Aino directly after their game or site types, peat types, degree of the peatland forestry activities

15 Many of the excursions, here field trip II “Peat geological history in the pioneer L. von Post trails”, touched also forestry issues. Photo: Laimdota Kalnina implemented in Finland since early native grasses as a 1900. He described the gradual method of nutrient relation emergence of measures for reducing retention after harvesting in to carbon the harmful effects on water bodies blanket bogs in Ireland. balance and ecosystem services. observed following peatland forest Sylvain Jutras from Université Laval, drainage, fertilization, and harvesting. Two presentations addressed Canada also reviewed the status Some 40 years of research has shown impacts of forest harvesting on water of peatland forestry in Canada significant improvements which courses in Irish blanket bogs. Joanne with a short history and present have been taken in use in practical Finnegan et al. showed that use of situation where both afforestation forestry. There are still significant brash mats of sufficient thickness and harvesting have become not challenges related to the mitigation and quality during clear felling profitable. of impacts of peatland forestry to the protects the peat from consolidation, water courses in order to attain the minimizes soil disturbance and The impact of management practices current standards set for the quality re-fertilizes the soil with dissolved on greenhouse gas emissions was of surface waters. nutrients. Xiao et al. showed that covered in two papers. First Sikstrom forest harvesting increased water et al from the Forestry Research Restoration of drained peatland sites yields and base flows but had Institute of Sweden, showed that may also cause significant water very limited impact on flood risk the utilization of wood ash reduced quality problems in terms of leaching downstream in forested blanket the global warming potential of nutrients (specifically phosphorus) bogs. of two drained peatland forests after water table rise. This issue in Sweden. On the other hand, was addressed in a laboratory study Hannu Hökkä Pearson et al (METLA), presented by M.Sc. Annu Kaila et al. in which Finnish Forest Research Institute some surprising results in that the Rovaniemi, Finland different types of peat samples from phone: +358 50 391 4528 types of soil preparation applied Finland and Ireland were analyzed email: [email protected] after clear cutting (mounds, scalps for nutrient leaching. The results or undisturbed) did not show any indicated variable levels of leaching difference in terms of CO2 emissions. in varying conditions after rewetting. Session VII.2: Management Huotari et al, also from METLA, methods for peatland forestry confirmed that the utilization of Two of the presentations addressed wood and peat-ash in afforested utilization of natural processes in We started this session with an cutaway peatlands has a positive management to control the nutrient overview paper from USA and effect on both biomass production and sediment loads to the water Canada and finished with specific and stand density. Saarinen et al had courses. Sakari Sarkkola et al. used forest management practices in wonderful pictures of vegetation water balance measurements data Sweden and Finland. Invited speaker colonizing microsites (scalps and obtained from field experiment to Prof. Carl Trettin of the US Forest mounds) and concluded that show the significant forest vegetation Service, USA depicted the current depth to water table affected re water use as a basis to substitute part status of peatland forestry in the colonisation of scalps while mounds of the ditch network maintenance United States (mainly on the East made of deeply dug decomposed actions with this so called biological coast) with new management peat remained vegetation free. drainage. Zaki-ul-Zaman Asam et prescriptions being scrutinized Finally the last presentation by Prof. al. found promising results in the (shorter rotation, inter-cropping) Hannu Hökkä (METLA) as Chair of the laboratory when testing the use of which pose additional questions in Commission, presented alternative

16 PEATLANDS International 2/2012 new management practices in the form of cutting of small canopy openings in spruce mire. There was insufficient time (5 years) to see a clear response to the cutting but already signs of the taller trees growing fasters in the mid-sized openings (10 m) is encouraging.

Dr Florence Renou-Wilson School of Biology and Environmental Science University College Dublin, Ireland email: [email protected]

Session IX and subthemes The guests from Asia were very IX.1, IX.2 and IX.3: Tropical interested in peatland agriculture in Sweden. Photo: Susann Warnecke peatlands palm plantation were considered by Maie et In this session on Tropical Peatland al, while the effect of logging there were 50 presentations, 30 of Hergoualc’h on organic matter characteristics & Verchot assessed the loss of which were oral and 20 poster. The of peat in Brunei Darussalam were quality of the presentations was high carbon from tropical peatland as discussed by Gandois et al. The a result of land use change and and covered all aspects of tropical barriers to seedling regeneration in peat and peatlands. The main focus fire over a 25 year timescale. They tropical peatland following fire were considered losses of both above was on Southeast Asia but also highlighted by Jali. included papers from Brazil and ground biomass and peat and Republic of Congo. estimated that peat carbon loss Sub-Session IX.1 – from wildfires contributed >63% of total carbon losses, demonstrating Sub-Session IX – Tropical Sustainability of Tropical the urgent need in terms of global Peatlands (general) Peatland warming to protect tropical peat swamps. There were 4 oral and 10 poster There were 6 oral and 4 poster presentations. Topics included peat presentations. Problems of The results of a small and controlled chemistry, biological activity, remote sustainable tropical peatland field experiment of peat burning on sensing, moisture content/hydrology ecosystem management were tropical peat in Central Kalimantan and energy flux measurements discussed by Medrilzam et al and was described by Hamada et al. of both natural and developed sustainable biomass production by Bathgate et al added to the debate peatland. Norisada et al. on the problems of restoration of tropical peatland, relating The sophistication and accuracy Three presentations were concerned experiences in Riau, Sumatra where of remote sensing technology has with restoration/rehabilitation drains had been blocked, water table improved considerably in recent of degraded tropical peatland. levels raised and limited vegetation years, and is contributing greatly Applegate et al considered the regeneration was taking place. to better peatland inventory and impact of drainage and peat improved estimates of the tropical degradation on tropical peatland Sub-Session IX.2 & X – peat carbon store and losses from hydrology and proposed a revised it as a result of fire and land use approach to rehabilitation focussing Carbon Balances and change. LIDAR, for example, is likely on canal blocking rather than Greenhouse Gas Fluxes in to become an important monitoring construction of large scale dams. tool in future REDD-related projects Wösten et al described an efficient Tropical Peatland (Boehm et al; Segah et al; Ballhorn and widespread methodology for et al). planned hydrological restoration of There were 9 oral and 4 poster disturbed tropical peatland in Central presentations covering many There is still considerable interest Kalimantan, Indonesia to mitigate aspects of the topics. This sub- session commenced with a global in ecological and management - CO2 emissions. related research. Changes to peat perspective of tropical peatland by bacterial communities and DOC Tropical peatland and peat fires were Page et al who reviewed the location, following peatland conversion to oil considered in three presentations. extent and magnitude of their carbon

17 The Malaysian participants at the peatland, Golden Hall of Stockholm City Hall. especially in Photo: Susann Warnecke Southeast Asia. The large number of topics ranged from conservation and rehabilitation to sustainable economic development, impact of land use change, especially to plantations. Other contributions dealt with carbon budgets,

subsidence and CO2 emissions.

Marcel Silvius set the scene with a keynote on ‘Tropical Peatland Conservation and Rehabilitation as a Sustainable Economic Development stores in various regions of the world logged over peat swamp forest in Option for Private Sector and Local but especially in Southeast Asia. Their Sarawak and Melling et al for an oil Communities’ in which he explained assessment of current and projected palm plantation in Sarawak. the consequences of unsustainable peatland development in this region The disturbance history and N2O developments for biodiversity, indicates that ~50 Gigatonnes of peat fluxes as a result of tropical peatland greenhouse gas emissions, carbon are at risk of release over the management were described by subsidence, and local peoples next 20 years. Hirano et al argued Vasander et al while the effect of livelihoods and health. He outlined that owing to land use change and fertilisation on N2O emission in a alternative options to industrial fire even undrained peat swamp laboratory incubation study was scale plantations that could be cost forest was no longer a carbon sink. the topic presented by Sim et al. In effective, provide better livelihoods Presentations dealt mainly with the comparison Hashidoko et al reported and reduce GHG emissions. following: on a study of active nitrous oxide emissions from reclaimed peatland Chin et al provided an overview of

1. CO2 and CH4 emissions under agriculture. peatland management in Southeast

2. N2O emissions Asia. They stressed that this is at 3. Peat bulk density Other greenhouse gas-related a crossroads and it is important

4. Water table effects on CO2 presentations included: to strategise to conserve peatland emissions forests and reduce GHG emissions 1. The need for a standard for and that the principle of wise use and Hirano et al provided information assessing deforestation of sustainable management is crucial on CO2 balance of tropical peatland tropical peat swamp forest to enhance the socio-economic ecosystems that store about 90 Gt (Setiadi); well-being of local and global carbon. Unfortunately, these are 2. Net ecosystem CO2 exchange communities. This was supported becoming net carbon sources as a (NEE) (Tang et al); by Ahmad et al in their poster on result of land use change and fire. 3. Role of water table in CO2 flux integrated peatland management.

Net CO2 efflux was confirmed by (Melling et al); The impact of plantation studies carried out on a tower on 4. Above and below ground carbon establishment on tropical peatland peatland in Sarawak by Tang et al. budgets of degraded peatland following deforestation, drainage and

Emissions of CO2 and CH4 from Acacia using multi-temporal airborne fire formed the subject of several pulp tree plantations in Riau, Sumatra laser altimetry (Sweda et al). presentations. The presentation by were reported by Suminawata et al Miettinen et al explained the rapid while Morrison et al reviewed the increase in the area of peatland in literature on peat surface emissions Sub-Session IX.3 – Social and Sumatra being converted to industrial from tropical peatland. The latter plantations of rapidly growing Acacia suggested a revised uncertainty Economic Uses of Tropical trees to supply the paper pulp range for peat CO2 emissions from oil Peatlands industry. CO2 emissions associated palm plantations and demonstrated with these plantations are huge and that biofuel carbon debts are likely 11 oral and 2 poster presentations will increase greatly as plantations to be larger than previously assumed were submitted to this sub-session expand. Details of carbon budgets for palm oil produced from feedstock and although a few presenters and stocks in tropical peatland and grown on tropical peat. did not attend the remaining the magnitude of CO2 losses as a contributions provided a deep result of land use change and fire

Further data on CO2 and CH4 fluxes insight to the problems, challenges were emphasised by Jauhiainen et al, were presented by Aeries et al for and opportunities facing tropical Hernowo et al and Rieley & Page.

18 PEATLANDS International 2/2012 Marcel Silvius, Wetlands International and Tong Yiew Chee, Global Environment Centre Malaysia at the SRPM Panel Discussion. Photo: Celia Zanin

Jauhiainen et al who reported on a method that separated root respiration from heterotrophic respiration (peat oxidation) showed that net CO2 emissions were 80 t ha-1 y-1 and claimed that previous studies have underestimated GHG emissions from plantations on tropical peatland. Hernowo et al explained how Indonesia could reduce significantly the very Bathgate & Iqbal explained the constantly and must be addressed large CO emissions attributable 2 development context of peatland immediately. to unsustainable management of in coastal areas of Riau, Sumatra tropical peatland by implementing in terms of the jobs being created There are obviously conflicting best practice, peatland rehabilitation and increases in standard of living opinions on the uses of tropical and revised land allocation policies. achieved. This was complemented peatland and the consequent Rieley & Page provided data to show by Sawal’s presentation on the impacts. On the one hand there is that subsidence caused by plantation regulatory framework used to a global obligation to preserve and on tropical peat will make this land control development in peat areas enhance biodiversity and the habitats unusable within human timescales as of Sarawak. He highlighted the required for species survival; on the a result of increased flooding, acidity various initiatives and programmes other hand developing countries and salinity. undertaken by the Malaysian need to increase their sources of Government and State Government income to benefit the livelihoods of More detailed aspects of peat of Sarawak to regulate development their people. It is without doubt that subsidence were considered by and mitigate environmental issues any land use of tropical peatland, Darmawan et al and Hooijer et al. associated with conversion of apart from natural ecosystem The results of the former, carried peatlands. maintenance, leads to habitat loss out over only one year, were and release of large amounts of confusing and conclusions appeared carbon much of which is transferred to contradict the findings of most Overview Tropical Peatlands to the atmosphere as CO2 thereby other peer reviewed publications influencing climate change processes. and should be assessed further. In This was in total the largest number Oil palm and Acacia plantations on contrast, Hooijer et al presented of presentations of all of the sessions peatlands in South-east Asia will, as data from more than 800 locations in this Congress and indeed at any a result of land subsidence, lead in monitored over a period of 3 years International Peat Congress so far the medium term to major water that confirmed subsidence rates and represents a significant increase management problems and costs in an around oil palm plantations over the Tullamore Congress in and in the longer term to major land in Jambi, Indonesia to be around 5 2008. They showed that research on loss when the subsidence reaches -1 cm y ) and a net carbon loss from a large range of aspects of tropical levels where gravity drainage is no plantations amounting to 75 t CO peatland was extremely buoyant and 2 longer possible. Socio-economic -1 -1 ha y . They showed that monitoring topical. Advances were being made development will therefore need to of over short periods cannot yield in satellite and airborne methods of look into sustainable use options, accurate measurements of either land cover detection and land use i.e. land use that does not require peat subsidence or carbon loss. In change monitoring. The important drainage. another presentation Hooijer et al contribution of tropical peatlands discussed the implications of peat to global biodiversity and carbon subsidence for peatland drainability store were emphasised as was the and sustainability. They suggested reduction in both following land that serious drainability problems use change through deforestation, will start in a few decades after the drainage, fire and conversion to Jack Rieley onset of drainage and may lead to other uses, especially plantations Nottingham, United Kingdom the end of agricultural production on and infrastructure. It is evident that email: [email protected] between 30% and 69% of the coastal developed tropical peatland makes a peatlands within 50 years. Eventually, large contribution to climate change Marcel Silvius (IX.3) Wetlands International most drained peatlands will processes, something of grave Wageningen, the Netherlands inevitably be rendered unproductive. concern that needs to be monitored email: [email protected]

19 for € 25 including mailing Congress can be ordered at www.peatsociety.org/shop The Book of Abstracts the International Peat (logged in IPS members only) download individual papers, please visit www.peatsociety.org/publications/documentbank costs. To Survey: Celia Zanin Text: Susann Warnecke

Feedback from the

Congress - did you like it, too? The participants

Occupation had unexpectedly to be added to How did you hear about the International Peat Congress? the registration prices, and group registration should have been easier. Also the price level of the official accommodation offers that came together with the online registration form was criticised.

With regard to the Congress itself, In summer 2012 the IPS people praised the diversity on Figure 8 How did you hear about the International Peat Congress? Secretariat was in the lucky country representation, subjects and pretty and the peat art exhibitions situation to have a very disciplines. At the same time, some exciting.A large majority Serious of the respondant problems have heard about the congress through colleagues. Word of mouth competent intern available, felt unhappy with the “dominance” occuredseems to be thewith strongest the meanUSB of sticks communication due for the IPC. Ms Celia Zanin from France, of either the peat industry or the to technical failure - replacement who had studied Intercultural other scientific topics. This is a typical files were offered by email after the challenge for broad organisations conference. We hope that this has Communications at the Occupation University of Jyväskylä. She such as the IPS, but improvements solved the situation for most of you. helped us a lot during the could be made by e.g. better International Peat Congress scheduling keynote speeches and For a smooth running of future and readily took the task rethinking exhibition space. Congresses, the following important to carry out the Congress recommendations were given: participant survey. The participants were very satisfied with the quality of the presentations, • chronological programme

The survey was implemented only some felt that the scientific • detailed information at the partly during the conference via level could have been higher. Much entrance and room doors praise was given to the horticultural • country of speakers to programme questionnaires, but the majority of Figure 9 Occupation feedback reached us 3-9 weeks after peat workshop, the social events • indicate the level of each International Peat Society Kauppakatu 19 D 31 FIN-40100 Jyväskylä, Finland the Congress via our internet survey. and field trips. Overlapping was presentation Organisation id: 1074181-4 Mobile : +358 40 418 4075, email: [email protected] All 602 participants were asked by critized in many cases, for parallel • list of participantsweb: peatsociety.org, as excel facebook.com file /peatsociety, linkd.in/peatsociety email to give us their opinions and sessions, excursions and with other • registration on first floor impressions from the Congress conferences. In that connection, • state of art opening, conclusion on Survey Monkey. An amazing it would surely have been also and panel discussion for each number of 139 attendees took this beneficial for networking and commission/session opportunity to help us improving exchange of ideas, if different • more information on IPS future scientific events by answering disciplines would have had more administrative meetings and voting to some 20 multiple choice questions opportunities to interact. • posters at passing places and commenting their preferences. • detailed presentation/pptx There were mixed opinions about instructions In general, it can be said that the the conference venue, the City • video sessions online great majority of participants (87%) Congress Centre. For many it was have enjoyed the atmosphere, the ideally located in the city centre, Also interaction could be improved. organisation, the activities offered spacey, light and lunch was great; Instead of frontal presentations, and the scientific content of the but others saw it just as outdated, participants asked for more time for Congress. However, there are some too complicated and pricey for this discussion, round tables and other 5% of unhappy attendants and a few kind of conferences. Especially the platforms to deal with controversial points that should be analyzed in location of the poster exhibition views and to deepen knowledge. detail: could have been better. Many suggestions were given for additional topics for sessions, To begin with, some 84% of the Local support worked well, timing workshops and practical application responders were satisfied with the was good and the technical of knowledge. We hope to see some registration process. As heard also equipment usually worked fine. of them in Malaysia in 2016 as before the event from our members, Also the Book of Abstracts was very soon as the call for papers is being some felt uncomfortable that VAT welcome, the opening ceremony prepared!

20 PEATLANDS International 2/2012

Are you planning to attend the IPC congress in 2016 in Malaysia?

Figure 14 Are you planning to attend the IPC congress in 2016 in Malaysia? // 56% say they might join IPC2015 and 21% will but 24% will not // As said earlier 62% of the respondents are researchers this may influence the result.

Survey: Celia Zanin The field trips on Wednesday were networking. This possibility should Please specify your main objectives for attending this conference What kind of proceedings/book of abstracts Text: Susann Warnecke attended by 3/4 of those anwering, surely be used much more - but As said earlier 62% of the respondents are researchers this may influence the result.

of which almost 70% liked the we might also have to question Please specify your main objectives for attending this conference experience. Most praise came for traditional conference arrangements the archipelago, the peatlands and to allow more real get-togethers. factory visited, the guided tours and

the peat beer (!). For future tours, It was also interesting to see that Figure 10 Please specify your main objectives for attending this conference more information could be given on about half of the participants were Figure 15 What kind of proceedings/book of abstracts do you prefer? Figure 10 Please specify your main objectives for attending this conference their schedule, equipment needed, “old experts” and the other half USB 62%, Printed and online 41% 100 80 weather and local conditions. It attended their first International The results show that proceedings on USB sticks are the most popular. 41% still want a printed version 60 would also be reasonable to fill all Peat Congress. Is this due to project and as many want to have the proceedings online.Student 40 100 Researcher Working in a Company excursions and cancel less popular work and location or are there other “It20 is very helpful to read the printed copy. I often make notes on margins of the pages. Printed copies 80 eliminate0 technology glitches that can occur.” ones for networking and also cost reasons for returning or not returning Networking Scientific Promotion of Doing 60 interest company business “I like the range of media used for the proceedings. Printed book is nice and official and a nice record of reasons. To allow people to get to to IPS events? For Malaysia in 2016, Student the talk I gave for my organisation, USB stick means I can share more easily the information I gathered Figure 11 Objectives for attending40 the conference per occupation Researcher know each other, name badges 21% are ready to pack their bags, with my colleagues. As not everyone at my organisation can attend the conferences, it is nice that they Note: the occupation “other” was not included in the graph. Working in a Company 20 should be worn by all at all times and some 56% are not sure yet and 24% Researcherswith aremostly able come this forto the access scientific year’s the content informati of theUSBs, congress,on butand somealso gain appreciate the theof full networking whichbenefit of everyone's expertise.” opportunities of the IPC. participant lists distributed before or will not attend. Can we convince included“I think 0that the wrong combination characters that was use during or thisdid conference not was very good. We had book of What is a little unexpected is thatNetworking only 28% of the students Scientific come for networkingPromotion .Surprisingly low ofresult Doing considering theabstracts networking opportun(accompaniedity that the IPC with is. It would author be goods tonames, facilitate networking addresses) for and then the extended abstracts on UBS stick. I after the trip. them to fly with us to Asia and how?students. open at all! interest company business liked that version” International Peat Society Kauppakatu 19 D 31 FIN-40100 Jyväskylä, Finland Organisation id: 1074181-4 Mobile : +358 40 418 4075, email: [email protected] International Peat Society web: peatsociety.org, facebook.com/peatsociety, linkd.in/peatsocietyKauppakatu 19 D 31 FIN-40100 Jyväskylä, Finland The price of the conference was Finally a few words on the Despite some criticism, theOrganisation IPS isid: 1074181-4 Figure 11 Objectives for attending the conferenceMobile per : +358occupation 40 418 4075, email: [email protected] discussed in length at the survey. proceedings. This has always thankful that weweb: received peatsociety.org, facebook.comthat many/peatsociety, linkd.in/peatsociety Even 46% felt it was too high, involved much work and headache Note: thecomments occupation “other” and was ideas not included for ourin the graph.work. although they understood well how for Congress organisers, mainly ResearchersWe aremostly especially come for the scientific glad content that of84% the congress, of but also appreciate the networking opportunities of the IPC. the level of service, the location and with regard to the tight timeframe, the respondants would recommend What is a little unexpected is that only 28% of the students come for networking .Surprisingly low result price were related. To save costs and the varying quality of submissions consideringthe theInternational networking opportun Peatity that theCongress IPC is. It would to be good to facilitate networking for thereby increase participation from and not always standardised review students.others. This corresponds well with International Peat Society poorer countries and NGOs, e.g. processes. In 2004 two heavy books the source of informationKauppakatu 19 D 31 FIN-40100 that Jyväskylä,people Finland Organisation id: 1074181-4 lunches and bags could have been had been printed, whereas in 2008 had before theyMobile signed : +358 40 418up. 4075, email: [email protected] web: peatsociety.org, facebook.com/peatsociety, linkd.in/peatsociety simpler. Most dissatisfied here were and 2012 all participants received the researchers; least students (lower the extended papers and abstracts At the end a few words about the fees) and company representatives. on a USB memory stick, first in book perception of the IPS as umbrella Altogether, of those responding, format and now as separate files organiser of the Congresses. 61% of almost half (47%) were researchers. respondants were IPS members, 30% Some 29% came from companies, For 63% a USB stick is a fine solution, not and amazing 7% were not sure. 14% were students and 11% in other 41% would prefer a printed book Can all of us help to improve this, and occupations. and the same 41% would go for attract more members to the IPS? online proceedings (multiple answers After the Congress, 88% knew IPS Interestingly enough, most possible). It seems that this is a and the majority found its work participants had heard about the questions of culture and habit, but of either good (53%) or very good Congress from colleagues (62%) and course costs have to be considered (28%). For this, detailed comments friends (7%), 35% from Peat News, too. Obviously a range of choices were given, which will be considered 30% via Peatlands International would be the best solution, possibly in the strategy work of the Society. and 24% on the Internet (multiple already at registration, which should choices possible). This shows that be technically feasible. And one could The new IPS website was liked by all communication channels are think about further sharing: of power 77% of respondants, but some 28% important - also for the local IPS point files, photos, contact data and did e.g. not know that they can conferences organised by your so on. After all, this could also be an buy peat and peatland publications National Committees. And it proves important way of keeping costs at a online from us. Additional free that it is worth talking about joint reasonable level. Congress comments included the endeavours! range of topics, the conference Detailed instructions must be given bag, the proceedings, the ability to The main reason for attending the and followed at future conferences understand and choice of speakers Congress was scientific interest concerning the format of IPS as well as possible locations of (82%), networking (49%), promotion proceedings, organisation of files, further IPS events. Clear messages, of their company/organisation (17%) page numbering, the way of citing, more networking and interaction, and doing business (14%). About half sharing and printing. The Scientific easy-to-use proceedings and more of the company attendants were also and Executive Boards of the IPS will information are needed in future - interested in the scientific content. work on a solution - and technique is let’s head for that challenge! This underlies the importance of of course improving all the time. In Susann Warnecke research within the IPS. Surprisingly, any case, we have to check twice or IPS Communications Manager only 28% of the students came for thrice to avoid technical mistakes as [email protected]

21 Award of Excellence 2012 of the International Peat Society to Professor Piotr Ilnicki

The IPS Award of Excellence • carbon sequestrating is conferred annually for in peatland, outstanding achievement in • eutrophication of the area of peat and peatlands. rivers, landscape During the International Peat ecology, Congress Dinner in Stockholm • hydromorphological on 7 June 2012, the Award evaluation of rivers, went to Professor Piotr Ilnicki • change in the water from Poland. circulation in Poland over a long time. Professor Piotr Ilnicki was born in Wrocław in 1935. In 1953 he Above these issues, he enrolled at Wrocław University of achieved during scientific Life Sciences to study Agriculture. international programs to In 1957, he earned his M.S. in be leader, main performer Agriculture. In 1966, he gained or/and executor at e.g. his PhD in Agriculture at Szczecin (i) Volkswagen Stiftung Agricultural University. In 1999, he Hannover, Zentrum für defended his habilitation dissertation Agrarlandschafts- und at that University. In 1999, the Landnutzungsforschung President of Poland granted him the (ZALF) Müncheberg, title of Professor of Agronomy. Germany, “Odra Basin – Baltic Sea Interactions From 1957 to 1960 he has been (OBBSI)” 1997-1998; employee of Administrative District (ii) Global Peat Initiative, Authorities in Kalisz, Poland. Prof Wetland International, Ilnicki has been co-operator with IUCN, IMCG, IPS, Alterra the Engineer Consulting Office Netherland “Restoration Professor Piotr Ilnicki. for Land Reclamation in Poznań, and carbon sequestrating, capacity Photo: Galica Poland from 1960 to 1989. Since and biodiversity in abandoned 1989, he has been working at the grassland on peatland in Poland” Agricultural University of Poznań in I. Phase 2001-2002. the Department of Environmental Protection and Management. From Professor Piotr Ilnicki was the on Environmental Assessment and 1994 to 2005 he was head of the supervisor of 5 completed PhD- Management at the University of Department. His scientific interest is theses and 76 M.S. theses. In Aberdeen (UK) 1992 for 8 weeks. focused on the following aspects: 1976 and 1980, he was granted a scholarship from the Alexander von Professor Piotr Ilnicki has published • wetlands ecology, Humboldt Stiftung fellowship, and more than 321 scientific and • peatlands in Poland and other worked in the Bodentechnologisches technical papers, including 50 countries, Institut Bremen, Germany for 18 published abroad in Finland, France, • physical properties of peat, months. In 1990, he spent 3 weeks Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands, • peatlands reclamation and at German universities and scientific Soviet Union, Slovakia, Sweden, subsidence, institutes (Braunschweig, Hannover, United Kingdom and the USA. • organic soils, Bonn, Hamburg, München, Stuttgart, • agricultural use of fens, Essen) by the Robert Bosch Moreover, he was also an editor of 13 • soil science, Stiftung. Moreover, he attended scientific books. In 2002, he received • grassland management, the International Training Course the award of the Polish Ministry of

22 PEATLANDS International 2/2012 Education for publishing the book “Peatlands and Peats”. In 2003 the working group “Histosoils”, (unit of Commission III on “Utilization of Peat and Peatlands in Agriculture” of IPS), prepared the book on “Organic soils and peat material for sustainable agriculture”. The book was edited by L.E. Parent and P. Ilnicki and published by CRC Press-USA.

Professor Piotr Ilnicki has played an active role in the work of numerous international scientific organizations. From 1965 to 1970, he was a member of the Internationale Gesellschaft für Moorforschung Liechtenstein. Since 1968 he has been a member of the International Peat Society and since In Stockholm, the Award of Excellence scroll was handed 1984 a member of Commission over by the President and Secretary General to EB member III “Agricultural Use of Peat and Lech Szajdak (middle) from Poland, who promised to safely Peatland”. From 1995 to 2000 he was take it with him for Prof. Ilnicki. Photo: Hannu Salo Chairperson of that Commission.

In addition, from 1995 to 2000 he 1998 Polish Academy of Sciences, Hungary, Belarus, USA and Norway. was involved in the organization of member of the Committee for Land Please accept our warmest the IPS conferences in 1997 Saint Reclamation, and from 1990 to 2000 congratulations! Malo, France and 1999 in Jokioinen, Ministry of Environmental Protection, Finland. Moreover from 1988 to Commission for Environmental 1996 he has been a member of the Impact Assessment. Lech Szajdak IPS Executive Board. Furthermore, Polish National Committee and from 1996 to 2000 he was Professor Piotr Ilnicki has been email: [email protected] elected 2nd Vice President of the a member of editorial boards in International Peat Society. In 2004, a number of journals including; the IPS granted him the title of from 1991 to 2000 Zeitschrift für Honorary Member. Kulturtechnik und Landentwicklung (former Zeitschrift für Kulturtechnik About the Besides his work in the International und Flurbereinigung (Associate Peat Society, since 1967 he has Editor); 2001-2003 Landnutzung IPS Award of played an active role on the Polish und Landentwicklung; 1998-2000 National Committee of the IPS. From International Peat Journal; 2007- 1993 to 1998, he has been President, 2011 Woda-Środowisko-Obszary Excellence 1983-1992 Vice President, and for Wiejskie. The IPS Award of Excellence was 1983-1992 the Chair of the Polish launched in 2005 and is annually Commission III on “Utilization of Peat Professor Piotr Ilnicki attended many conferred for a distinguished contribution by a single person, and Peatlands in Agriculture”. scientific seminars, conferences group or project in any sector of and congresses organized by the peatland activities. The Award In addition, Prof. Ilnicki has IGM (Internationale Gesellschaft für comprises a framed scroll and a been a member of the following Moorforschung) and IPS, such as in cash prize of total € 1,000. international scientific organizations: Budapest 1964, Helsinki-Otaniemi Submissions can be made by since 2000 International Mire 1972, Poznań 1976, Leningrad 1988, 31 January of each year by a written Conservation Group (IMCG); since Uppsala 1992, Bremen 1996, Saint letter, email or online at the IPS 1990 Societas Humboldtiana Malo-France 1997, Jokioinen 1999, website. The decision on the Award winner is made by the IPS Executive Polonorum (SHP); since 1993 Polish Quebec 2000 and Tullamore 2008. Board and the Award is presented Association of Landscape Ecology annually at the Annual Assembly of (PAEK); since 1993 International Besides that he has been organizer the IPS. Association for Landscape Ecology or convener of sessions concerning For more information and to submit (IALE); since 1978 Polish Soil Science organic soils in Poland, Germany, your nomination, please visit www. Society; since 1986 International GDR, the Netherlands, Estonia, peatsociety.org/award-excellence. Soil Science Society, from 1980 to France, Finland, United Kingdom,

23 The IPS becoming Text and photos: active in China Jaakko Silpola and Björn Hånell

The IPS is on its way to in the Ministry of National Forestry, Normal University. After that, a strengthen its relations with and the Department of Deposit round table meeting was held, in Chinese peat and peatland Resource Use in the Ministry of Land which the welcoming speech was experts. IPS President Björn and Resource. given by the Director of the City Hånell and Secretary General and Environmental School Wu Jaakko Silpola visited both After a very interesting, one Zhengfang. In addition to professors, Beijing and Changchun in thousand kilometre train trip teachers and students of the September 2012. The journey from Beijing, the visit continued in University, several peat company was hosted by Professor Meng Changchun where the Northeast representatives from all over China Xianmin from Northeast Normal University is located. The participated in the meeting. Normal University. University is the centre of various activities related to peat and IPS President Hånell introduced the In Beijing, meetings were arranged, peatlands. history and mission of IPS as well as among others, with the China Coal recent activities of the Society. This Industry Association, which is in The appointment at the institute, was followed by a presentation of the charge of peat and peatland affairs, started by meeting Executive current status of peat research and the Centre of Wetland Management President Zhang Shaojie of Northeast industry in western countries given by Secretary General Silpola. Professor Wang introduced the peat research of Northeast Normal

IPS President Professor Hånell introducing the IPS to Chinese peat and peatland stakeholders. Professor Meng is translating.

24 PEATLANDS International 2/2012 University during the past 50 years. And finally, Professor Meng presented the status, opportunities and challenges of the Chinese peat industry.

After the presentations, a true round table discussion took place. During the talks, several topics dealing with peat resources, peatland investigations, the hydrology of peatlands, peatland conservation and utilization as well as their rehabilitation were covered. The Chinese peat and peatland stakeholders were also interested in general IPS activities, the Society’s Professor Meng Xianmin has structure and members, as well as developed seedling pots which are how to organize a well-functioning Peat Society and upgrade that to now manufactured by Beijing Juno IPS National Committee. become a whole China Peat Society Science Agricultural Technology - by permission from the China Co., Ltd. Company Chairman of As a special extra, a field trip was National Science and Technology the Board, Mrs Lihui Liu, and IPS offered, including the investigation Association. This would mean that President, Professor Björn Hånell, of a valley fen peatland close to the Society could achieve official listen to his introduction. Changchun. Following that, the status and the legal position to group visited the production site for organize relevant activities all over seedling substrate of Beijing Juno China, and to apply for the status of a IPS President Hånell and Secretary Science Agricultural Technology Co., National Committee of the IPS. General Silpola would like to warmly Ltd. The company produces various thank the representatives of the seedling pots with lime and fertilizers Interestingly enough, Professor Meng Chinese Government offices, the ready to use for greenhouses and also reported that Chinese have Chinese peat and peatland related nurseries. The biggest pots can be already set up a peat industry union associations and companies and of used e.g. for growing oil palm plants. on growing media in Northeast China course Northeast Normal University and Inner Mongolia. All members of for their hospitality and interest. After the IPS tour to China, Professor the union could become members of We would also like to send our kind Meng informed the IPS Secretariat the China Peat Society. thanks to all peat related company that Chinese peat and peatland representatives, as well as all stakeholders had suggested and In addition to that, according to students involved for their intensive supported Northeast Normal Professor Meng, there is an idea that interested towards the IPS. University to become “the home” of the China Peat Society would like to the Chinese National Committee of sponsor an international symposium Finally we would like to thank the IPS. This could happen by calling on wise use of fen peat in Kunming Professor Meng from Northeast peat and peatland stakeholders to City, Yunnan province, China in the Normal University as well as join the already existing Jilin Province fourth quarter of 2013. Counsellor Zhang from the Embassy of China in Stockholm for putting together and hosting the excellent program.

Jaakko Silpola IPS Secretary General Jyväskylä, Finland email: [email protected]

Björn Hånell IPS President Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Dept. of Forest Ecology and Management Umeå, Sweden email: [email protected]

A warm welcome surprised the two travellers from Europe.

25 English Growing Media Task Force issues its final report A personal view by Jack Rieley, Secretary of the UK Peat Society

Background environmental NGOs to identify and 4. Consumer communications – overcome the barriers to phasing communication of messages to The UK Government Natural out the use of peat in English consumers and users of growing Environment White Paper (June horticulture. Dr Alan Knight OBE was media. 2011) set out plans for reducing the appointed Chairman. horticultural use of peat in England Task Force Interim Report to zero by 2030 according to the Task Force programme of work following milestones: This report1 was published in March The Task Force drew up a work 2012 and consists of an introductory • Progressive phase-out for programme consisting of 12 personal perspective from Alan government and public sector individual projects in the following Knight followed by a ‘factual’ account on direct procurement of peat four groups. of the progress made to date on in new contracts for plants by the various projects set out in the 2015; 1. Sustainable growing media – programme of work. The chairman • Voluntary phase-out for amateur how to define and measure attempted to bring together and gardeners by 2020; and sustainability of growing integrate the conflicting arguments • Voluntary phase-out for media; and interests in the phasing out professional growers of fruit, 2. Role of public policy – the role of peat in horticulture debate and vegetables and plants by 2030. of public policy in developing put much emphasis on achieving solutions; ‘sustainable’ growing media. In spite In order to address these goals a 3. Growing media performance, of frequent requests, the NGOs ‘Task Force’ was established with use and price – performance involved in the Task Force had not representatives of 35 organisations standards and requirements of re-stated the ’problem’ of peat from across the supply chain and growing media; use in horticulture to update this information from its origins some 30 years ago. Alan Knight stressed the need to develop standards for ‘responsible growing media’, the momentum for which must come from industry.

It was evident that some projects had made more progress than others and there was little consensus agreement amongst members of the Task Force of the way forward. The carbon driver of the policy was disproved and biodiversity had vanished from the process leaving little to justify the phasing out of peat in English Brassica in peat blocks. horticulture. Photo: James Bean

26 PEATLANDS International 2/2012 Task Force Final Report

The Final Report shows that little has changed since publication of the Interim Report except that the 12 projects are not mentioned at all and no indication is given of progress made. It is mostly the ‘Chairman’s take’ on the process and not the consensus view of the Task Force. It is confusing, repetitive and highly anecdotal. Gone are the systematic approaches to identifying and overcoming barriers to achieving ‘sustainable’ growing media and instead there is ‘significant progress’, ‘consensus’, ‘emerging messages’ and ‘observations’. The report is short, devoting 5 pages to the Chairman’s observations while the main report is a mere 11 pages, followed by 5 pages of roadmap.

Part 1: Personal observations from the Chairman Pelargonium. Photo: Malcolm McPherson These comments and 4-point summary give the impression proven sustainability credentials. that the Task Force was united in Consensus is needed amongst the finding suitable alternatives to peat key stakeholders on what those while continuing to use peat in the credentials are and the degree of All Growing media must be fit for meantime. Detailed reading of the third party auditing required to verify purpose main body of the report, however, compliance. Growing media ingredients should does not support this and it is be ‘sustainable’ (i.e. renewable) clear that the policy to phase out 3. The environmental movement and conform to standards (yet to the use of peat in horticulture in needs to restate its rationale for be formulated) that are third party England has not changed although zero peat use in horticulture and audited. The aim should be to ensure the underlying rationale is highly be consistent in the delivery of that that the majority of multi-purpose flawed. The interpretation and use message, not just across the UK but compost sold in England should meet of ‘sustainable’ and ‘sustainability’ also across the EU and beyond. It performance standards. is confusing and inconsistent and also needs to balance its narrative on detracts from the main issue of use peat in horticulture with other uses Current preference for peat is based of peat in growing media in the of peat. on performance and price and not future of English horticulture. ideology 4. (The UK) Government should The use of peat is not based on Four Point Summary of Final Report continue to show bold leadership on ideology but NGO commitment to Conclusions this issue, but should seek ways to, stop its use is. In theory peat is not and be seen to, support a prosperous required to grow plants but the 1. The horticulture industry over UK horticulture industry that not horticulture industry knows it is relies on peat. The more it argues the only uses sustainable growing media needed to grow plants safely, reliably economic case for peat, the more it but creates a sector that supports and profitably and if appropriate exposes the inherent risk in having Government’s wider sustainability non-peat products were available an industry that is too reliant on peat and economic ambitions. they would be used instead. to compete. It is in the economic interests of the industry to develop Part 2: Distillation of the Task Force The transition to sustainable growing more choices and alternatives in the Discussions and Programme of Work media needs to be economically raw materials for growing media. viable The full report can be obtained Growing media manufacturers 2. All growing media regardless of on the Internet2 and only a brief and growers have made significant origin must be competitive, perform commentary on the major points is progress in reducing the peat content to agreed standards and have given here. at their own expense but most

27 Peat is an important carbon store and active bogs sequester carbon On the one hand, UK peatlands are said to be capable of accumulating 0.5-1mm of peat a year but only ‘active’ bogs are capable of doing

this and the CO2 ‘gain’ is extremely small and very much less than the

10 million tonnes of CO2 a year leaking from the 95% of UK’s 2.3 million hectares of peatland that are degraded (not peat forming any more). Peat extraction in the UK is responsible for only 0.06% of total UK emissions!

There will never be a consensus on the case against peat, but extraction of peat will remain controversial The argument that biodiversity is a Bedding plants. Photo: Malcolm McPherson driver for stopping peat extraction in England is no longer valid because pristine and HCV (high conservation Removal of all peat from commercial value) bogs are not being used. peat alternatives are too expensive, horticulture will be very challenging No biodiversity action plan species unreliable and their carbon footprints and targeted action is required occur on peatlands in England with can be as high as peat. There are Peat is used because it is cheap, planning permission for extraction. competing demands for alternatives available and reliable and its The final report refocuses on habitats (e.g. for energy) removal from horticulture will be and ecosystem services but the same very challenging but will proceed. flaw in the argument holds. All growing media should be Already elements of the horticulture made from raw materials industry have moved away from peat Extraction of peat for horticulture that are environmentally and but growers will only move away is only one of the pressures facing socially responsible sourced and completely if it is in their commercial manufactured interests to do so (or forced by law!). Task Force members are developing a set of criteria for assessing if Transformation should be raw materials are environmentally encouraged through choice editing and socially responsibly sourced The majority of task force members and manufactured. The 3 pillars of believe that consumers cannot be sustainability - economic, social and expected to drive change but should environmental have been assessed retailers force it on them through in the recently published EPAGMA choice editing? It is strange that the Growing Media Life Cycle Report3 horticulture industry changes are that shows peat replacements are to be solved by partnerships and no better than peat when all three consensus but gardeners are to have indicators are taken into account. matters forced upon them.

The horticulture sector in 2030 No peat should be sourced from will have undergone other pristine or high quality peat habitats transformations as will society None of the peat extracted in England, or the rest of the UK, is The focus of attention is moving from from pristine of high conservation peat to water (water holding and value peatlands. Stopping peat releasing capacity of peat is much extraction in England will drive up better than all other growing media imports over which ingredients) and the Report states there will be no that the horticulture industry needs control and so Cucumber in grobags. to improve its water use efficiency this peat could Photo: Julian Davies as this is also a barrier to developing be from high peat-free growing media. quality peatlands.

28 PEATLANDS International 2/2012 peatlands in England The Task Force should not have decoupled peatland conservation and restoration following peat extraction from the use of peat in horticulture. They are both part of responsible peatland management and should be integrated. The new National Planning Policy Framework guidance to prevent new licenses or extensions to existing ones, being granted for peat extraction in England is a mistake that has closed the door to major opportunities for new approaches to peatland conservation and restoration.

Labelling should help the consumer make a choice and not confuse them Garden plants grown on peat It would seem obvious that better compost at Stockbridge Technology information on content and source Centre, UK. Photo: Julian Davies of growing media ingredients should be given to consumers. Peat-free that peat will be replaced growing media need to be checked largely by composted green waste that they really are; there is evidence that is the worst growing medium ‘roadmap’ prepared in one Task Force to suggest that some peat-free ingredient as far as most of the meeting that has not been consulted products contain peat! horticulture industry is concerned. It or commented upon. Progress will has been rejected because of its high be monitored to determine if the Improving confidence in the use risk in terms of quality, reliability, voluntary approach set out in this of green waste requires improved safety and price. Final Report is delivering the desired collection, segregation and sourcing result. of green waste The waste regime is currently a There is an assumption in the report barrier to the sourcing of materials Part 3: Roadmap The report contends that the current waste regime is a barrier to the This shows how the UK Government sourcing of materials for growing will stop the use of peat in English media and apart from the risk factors horticulture with involvement of mentioned above, stopping peat the horticulture industry. Since this use in horticulture will require an Roadmap was ‘created through additional 3 million cu m of peat-free individual conversations and a single growing media to supply the market Task Force meeting’ it is unlikely to be well thought out and has errors A voluntary approach will only work and inconsistencies. if people choose to take part The horticulture industry favours a Performance Standard voluntary approach but NGOs and Growing media are to be ‘fit for some companies favour legislation to force the change. The voluntary approach is dependent on goodwill Footnotes and a desire to make things work. 1. www.defra.gov.uk/peat- However, the UK Government is set taskforce/2012/04/02/ on implementing its peat-free policy interim-report-published/ regardless so there is no room to 2. www.defra.gov.uk/peat- manoeuvre. taskforce/ 3. www.epagma.eu/default/ Monitoring of progress needs to home/responsible-use.aspx consider more than only changes in 4. www.peatsociety.org/ volumes of materials used, and this peatlands-and-peat/strategy- should be reflected in the 2015 policy responsible-peatland- review management Implementation is to be based on a out a challenge to the horticulture industry that he accuses of being fossilised in the past and unable to prepare itself for the future. Is it capable of rising to this challenge?

As a better alternative to phasing out the use of peat in English horticulture it would be more responsible and sustainable to support the initiatives currently underway elsewhere in the EU to develop certification and standards for peatland management and peat use in growing media linked to the widely accepted concept of ‘wise use’ that is embodied in the ‘Strategy for Responsible Peatland Management’4. It is currently the best consensus of opinion on how to manage this global resource in ways Celery in small pots. that will not give cause to future Photo: James Bean generation to attribute blame for its mismanagement. Improving Confidence in Green Waste A major objective of the Task Force A final thought. We are in this purpose’ but who is going to carry process seems to be to promote situation of conflict over peatlands out the testing? Who is going to composted green waste to replace in the UK largely because there is no carry out the subsequent product peat in order to meet other overall view of peatlands at either monitoring and how? What other Government targets. All of the steps the country or UK level. Contentious performance standards are needed? outlined are fine but what if green issues could be resolved more waste cannot be improved and how rationally if it were known what the Responsible Sourcing and could it ever replace the volume of true extent of the peatland resource Manufacturing Standard peat used? and its carbon store really are All growing media should together with the actual condition of be made from raw materials Voluntary Approach all peatlands (bearing in mind that that are environmentally and The aim is to achieve sustainable 95-99% are degraded and emitting socially responsibly sourced and growing media that according to CO2) and the needs of industry now manufactured. It is suggested that definition has to be renewable and and in future. UK Biodiversity Plan the Growing Media Association and therefore peat free. The majority monitoring shows that most UK the Growing Media Initiative be the of the growing media supply chain peatlands have deteriorated since bodies responsible implementing a has to commit to specific actions monitoring began and this has certification scheme but they are not within one year from June 2012. nothing to do with peat extraction. independent and the process would Gardeners are dismissed because not be transparent. they can be choice edited out of the A step in the right direction would story. Growers are more problematic be preparation of ‘National Peatland Commercial Horticulture but their demise is in a continuum Plans’ for each country within The aim is to use only responsibly that represents a series of stages in the UK so that all information sourced and manufactured the phasing out of peat in English on conservation, utilisation growing media but this is referred horticulture. and restoration can be brought to as sustainable growing media. together, integrated and assessed. These are not the same! What Conclusion Unfortunately, opposing interests are is really concerning is that the poles apart and while they continue first environmental criterion is It is clear that the UK Government to maintain their confrontational renewability, which is nothing to do policy to phase out the use of peat stances Britain’s peatlands continue with sustainability or responsible in horticulture in England has not to leak CO2 and degrade. sourcing. changed. In fact it has not even been modified or varied and, if anything, Choice Editing its resolve has been strengthened Jack Rieley This is a euphemism for taking by the work of the Task Force and Nottingham, United Kingdom phone: +44 1949 20920 freedom of choice away from involvement of the horticulture email: [email protected] customers. industry in it. Alan Knight has thrown

30 PEATLANDS International 2/2012 Humic lakes of Wigry National Park, Northeast Poland – development and expectations for the future

Text: Danuta Drzymulska, Mirosława Kupryjanowicz

Fig. 1. Map of Poland. Humic lakes of Wigry National Park.

(4,0-6,0), small algal biomass, poor taxonomic biodiversity, and higher respiration than primary production (Wetzel, 1983; Brönmark & Hansson, 2005).

Floating mats formed by the roots and rhizomes of vascular plants (Scheuchzeria palustris, Menyanthes trifoliata, Cyperaceae, Ericaceae) and Sphagnum mosses are a characteristic feature of these lakes (Figs 3-4). Humic lakes have been studied in detail using hydrobiological methods (Górniak et al., 1999). Less attention, however, has been focused on their past.

Development of foreshores

The material for the study (peat and Introduction vegetation cover are similar to the dy) was collected in the foreshore conditions of Scandinavia. of twelve humic lakes (Fig. 1) using Humic lakes are protected in the a Russian sampler (50 cm long and European Union and registered in These small brown-water lakes 8 cm in diameter). Single cores were Appendix I of the Habitat Directive (0,5 - 3 ha) are closed systems, drilled in the zone of the firm (non- as “Natural dystrophic lakes and lacking inflows and outflows, and are quaking) mire. The entire sediment ponds” (Anonymous, 2007). These surrounded by forests (Fig. 2). Some sequence was used for analysis of water bodies are typical of the boreal of the specific features of humic lakes plant macrofossils. Radiocarbon zone (Ojala & Salonen, 2001). In include peat-covered catchment dating was conducted for selected northeastern Poland they occur in areas overgrown with coniferous sediment samples. Wigry National Park (WNP), in the forests, peat moss in the vicinity of vicinity of the Wigry Lake (Fig. 1), water bodies, spreading floating mats The oldest foreshore sediments one of the biggest and deepest lakes on water surfaces, low water and were accumulated in the Alleröd - by in Poland (area 21.63 km2, max. sediment calcium content, high water Lake Suchar VI (13075 - 12700 cal depth 74.2 m), where climate and HS content, dy sediments, low pH BP; GdA-2379). Lakesides of other

31 Fig. 2. Lake Suchar Dembowskich. Photo: Danuta Drzymulska

with poor fen (Lake Suchar VI), moderately rich fen (Lake Widne), or moderately poor fen (Lake Sucharek). Bog stage was completely absent during the development of foreshore mires of these three lakes. In others, bog developed from the initial stage (Lake Suchar II) or it occurred after the fen stage.

Formation of lake basins

Two sediment cores were collected from three selected lakes (Lake Suchar II, Lake Ślepe and Lake Suchar Wielki); the first from the basin and the second from the marginal zone covered by floating vegetation mats. The cores from marginal zones were collected with a Russian corer (50 cm long and 8 cm in diameter). Cores from the water basins were collected during winter from the ice surface with a Więckowski probe (Fig. 5). The pollen analysis of sediments was used to recognize the age of sediment. Thus the analyzed profiles were age assessed by comparing pollen diagrams with the 14C dated

Below: Fig. 4. Lake Suchar III – floating mat. Photo: Danuta Drzymulska

Top: Fig. 3. Lake Suchar VI – floating mat with Menyanthes trifoliata, Thelypteris palustris and peat mosses. Photo: Danuta Drzymulska lakes began to develop already in the Holocene. Wherein the youngest bottom sediments of the foreshore were recognized by Konopniak Lake (1717 - 1881 cal AD; Poz-38251).

Succession of subfossil vegetation, in 9 from 12 objects, followed towards bog. Different sequences were recognized only in the lakeside of Lake Suchar VI, Lake Widne and Lake Sucharek. The youngest subfossil communities were there connected

32 PEATLANDS International 2/2012 winter warming the light of the Holocene succession and the of their vegetation”. predominance of dry springs, References can cause changes in Anonymous (2007) Interpretation Manual habitats that are of European Union Habitats – EUR 27. European Comission DG Environment. less favorable Brönmark, C., Hansson, L-A. (2005) for dystrophy. The biology of lakes of ponds. Oxford Humic lakes are University Press, New York. strongly linked Freeman, C., Evans, C.D., Monteith, B., Reynolds, B., Fenner, N. (2001) Export with a cool, of organic carbon from peat soils. Nature humid climate 412:785. (Kankaala et al., Górniak, A., Jekatierynczuk-Rudczyk, E., 2006). Dobrzyń, P. (1999) Hydrochemistry of three dystrophic lakes in Northeastern Poland. Acta hydrochimica et Simultaneously, hydrobiologica 27:12-18. over the past Kankaala, P., Huotari, J., Peltomaa, few decades E., Saloranta, T., Ojala, A. (2006) Methanotrophic activity in relation to phenomena methane efflux and total heterotrophic that are bacterial production in a stratified, advantageous humic, boreal lake. Limnology and for the Oceanography 46:1195-1204. Kupryjanowicz, M. (2007) Postglacial formation of development of vegetation in the vicinity humic lakes of the Wigry Lake. Geochronometria 27: have been 53-66. observed; Ojala, A., Salonen, K. (2001) Productivity of Daphnia longispina in a highly namely, the humic boreal lake. Journal of Plankton Fig. 5. Drilling by the Wieckowski intense export of organic matter Research 23: 1207-1216. probe from the ice surface. Photo: to surface waters (Freeman et al., Wetzel, R.G. (1983) Limnology. W. B. Marta Szal 2001). Saunders Co., Philadelphia. Danuta Drzymulska, Mirosława This research was financed by the Kupryjanowicz diagram from nearby Lake Wigry Ministry of Science and Higher Department of Botany, Institute of Biology (Kupryjanowicz, 2007). Education in Poland, project nr University of Białystok Świerkowa 20B NN305085135 “History of dystrophic 15-950 Białystok, Poland The oldest sediments accumulated lakes of the Wigry National Park in email: [email protected] in the Alleröd (foreshore and basin of Lake Suchar Wielki and foreshore of Lake Suchar II). Sediments of Fig. 6. Development Lake Ślepe started to accumulate in stages of Lake Suchar II. the beginning of the Holocene – in A. Dead ice occurred in the Preboreal period. Each of these this place throughout three lakes was a humic water body the Late Glacial period. probably during the early Holocene, B. The lacustrine what is confirmed by presence of dy sediments (lacustrine sediment, which age was assessed chalk and calcareous as Preboreal. Possible way of Lake gyttja) formed only in Suchar II formation is presented in the marginal parts of this small water body Fig. 6. as a consequence of ice melting during the What about future? Alleröd. C. The mid section of Our expectations regarding the dead ice melted over the futures of humic lakes are a long period of time; ambiguous. On the one hand, it can hence, the accumulation be assumed that these water bodies of sediments was there will transform into eutrophic-like only possible in the Preboreal period after lakes. Climate change observed it had melted either in the late twentieth century in significantly or entirely. northeastern Poland, including

33 Text and photos: Raimo Sopo

Notes from a German peatland symposium

The International Congress Today in Germany, as in many other The annual use of peat raw material “GeoHannover 2012” was countries with relatively large peat in growing media production is held at the Leibniz University resources, a continuous discussion about 8 - 9 million m3, an amount Hannover in Germany during between nature conservation bodies of which is partly covered by import 1-3 October 2012. The majority and stakeholders representing from the Baltic States, Finland and of the about 600 participants agriculture, horticulture and Sweden. The number of growing came from Germany. The silviculture is going on about wise use media producers depending on Congress under the headline of peat and peatlands. This topic was good quality substrates consists “Georesources for the 21st also a core content of the peatland of some 60,000 enterprises and Century” included a one- symposium organized by the German the number of employees in those day symposium “Peatlands Peat Society (Deutsche Gesellschaft enterprises is some 400,000 persons. and their importance as raw für Moor- und Torfkunde, DGMT). These figures prove that the peat material in Germany”. dependent growing media industry is The use of peat as an energy source for Germany economically extremely Peatlands have played an important ceased in Germany in the 1960s important, Mr. Johannes Welsch, role in land-use especially in and today peat is produced in the Director of the German Garden Lower Saxony where a major part country only for horticultural and in Industry Association (IVG) stated in of the German peat resources is minor amounts also for balneological his presentation. concentrated. In accordance with purposes. Albeit peat production population growth during the past in Germany is gradually going In Germany peatland utilization centuries, interest in peatlands and downwards, in 2011 some 7 million is strictly regulated by mire their use in agriculture and house cubic meters of horticultural peat conservation programs, approved in heating gradually grew to such was produced, the total production 1981 and in 1986. Originally the main extent that only very few mires are area constituting more than 11,000 target of the programs was to protect nowadays left in natural condition. hectares. the still existing mires, especially

34 PEATLANDS International 2/2012 Left: The GeoHannover 2012 Congress was arranged at the Leibniz University of Hanover. The capital of Lower Saxony is known of a concentration of many organizations dealing with soil science, peatlands included.

valuable from a nature conservation point of view. Environmental legislation has had a positive influence on the restoration of cut- over peatlands. During the past 20-30 years some 12,000 hectares of cut-over peatlands have been rewetted and the development of new mires has gradually been started in those areas.

Today more and more emphasis concerning “competition” between The peat symposium, is put on the role of mires and the peat and the biomass producing arranged on 3 October, peatlands in climate change, which industries, which are both interested was attended by many well known German peat and mire has brought with it new approaches in acquiring old agricultural fields for experts. In the foreground Dr. regarding the use of peat soils their own needs. Joachim Blankenburg from for industrial and agricultural Bremen and Dipl. Ing. Jürgen purposes. An interesting detail Raimo Sopo Günther from Oldenburg. was introduced at the seminar Jyväskylä, Finland email: [email protected]

A view on the main hall of the University where the poster stands of the Congress where erected.

35 Report on the German seminar “Rewetting of raised bogs - a model of success?”

Text and photos: Gerfried Caspers Translation: Katharina Neff, AAQ

The seminar was held on 27 and 28 the first seminar day, the rewetting general conditions for rewetting and June 2012 in the Camp Reinsehlen of raised bogs and the necessary on specific problem cases. During the hotel near Schneverdingen, jointly conditions were set out in several presentation, reference was made organised by the Alfred Toepfer lectures. The second day was a full- to some of last year’s main lectures, Academy for Nature Conservation day excursion to different bogs in the but also, and most importantly, (NNA) and the German Peat Society Rotenburg/Wümme district. recommendations for actions were (DGMT). It was designed to be a discussed. For next year, Salomon continuation of last year’s seminar The seminar was opened by announced the continuation of the on the rewetting of raised bogs, in Berndhard Salomon (NNA), who gave series with a seminar to be held on which not all interested were able to a quick overview of last year’s main the future of mire protection in the participate due to high demand. On points, which focussed both on the Lower Saxony region.

The participants of the seminar during the excursion in the raised bog ‘Großes und Weißes Moor’ north of Kirchwalsede.

36 PEATLANDS International 2/2012 Dr Joachim Blankenburg was the DGMT organiser of the seminar and welcomed the 50 participants at the beginning of his introductory presentation. He gave an overview on important national and international publications dealing with bog restoration. In particular the hydrological peat properties are worth being taken into account. They change depending on the different types of use and often decide on success or failure of rewetting.

The preparation of peat production areas was explained based on the Geofakten 14 (geo facts 14). By building peat embankments, the Rainer Rahlfs from the nature water is gathered in polders on conservation authority the remaining, previously levelled, explaining the geology and peat surface. The water levels are level regulation, which is often not historical development before regulated with plastic tube spillways. continued. Persistence, however, entering the Großes und Showing a general schema on leads to success, Masch was able to Weißes Moor. seepage loss, Blankenburg explained demonstrate when presenting the to the participants which conditions Stapeler Moor: Now, after 20 years, have to be fulfilled for successful hummock forming peat mosses are grazing. Hence, the central aim in the rewetting of fens and raised bogs. spreading again. Diepholzer Moorniederung remains to improve the hydrological situation The Staatliche Moorverwaltung Peter Germer, representing the BUND of the bogs with further measures (Lower Saxony peatland authority) Diepholzer Moorniederung (a project for rewetting and for keeping them is in charge of approx. 11,000 ha of Friends of the Earth Germany), open. of peatlands in the Lower Saxony set out the effects of large-area region, Dr Eberhard Masch, head rewetting focussing mainly on the Angelika Bretschneider from the of the authority, stated in his avifauna, but also on the vegetation. Schleswig-Holstein State Agency presentation. Half of this area, 5,500 Data of the Rehdener Geestmoor, the for Agriculture, Environment and ha, is currently being rewetted. Long- Neustädter Moor and the Renzeler Rural Areas gave a report on the term experience has shown that Moor show how the limocolae renaturalisation efforts, which were the embankments fully fulfil their benefit first from rewetting. Later first made for raised bogs, reaching function only for a limited period of on, the occurrence of individual back to the eighties. Severely time. They lose height considerably species such as the lapwing tends to adversely affected by manual and by compaction and microbial peat slightly decrease. Shoveler and teal industrial peat extraction as well decomposition and often have to be populations on rewetted peatlands as agriculture, the drained raised reworked after more than 10 years. increase with some delay. In the bogs were rewetted by blocking Due to this, it is necessary to build Neustädter Moor, meadow pipit and ditches and removing the trees and embankments that are large enough skylark have remarkable populations. shrubs. Any intervention into the in order to be able to drive on them This is probably also due to the fact existing, often only rudimentary afterwards. There is no other access that bogs that are no longer used bog vegetation left, had to be kept for machines to the rewetted areas serve as habitat for these species. as little as possible, as was the case later on. throughout Germany during those The success of rewetting for the years. Also the birch trees growing on the spread of the crane can especially peat embankments have to be kept be seen in the Diepholzer Only after several years of experience short and, in the end, this is only Moorniederung. The crane does not with building peat embankments possible with machines. For the only use the bogs for breeding but using construction machines, the avifauna, this is a necessary long- also as a resting place with tens of situation improved considerably in term maintenance measure. Masch thousands of birds when migrating many areas. With the introduction of pointed out that especially these to their winter quarters and back. a fen protection programme in 2002, long-term works are not carried However, much of the success for the also fens came within the scope for out after the initial preparation avifauna could only be achieved by rewetting. In 2011, the programme works for previous peat production maintenance measures, especially was extended to cover all bogs in areas. This also includes the water by keeping the bogs open by sheep Schleswig-Holstein so that recently

37 Former peat production area at Hatzter Moor two years after rewetting.

rewetting projects are again carried early so that the technical measures dam with a 45 m large base was out more and more also for raised planned can be communicated constructed, consisting of a sand core bogs. The on-site inspections and and thus misunderstandings are and covered with boulder clay. Since data collection for detailed analysis prevented. Meyer emphasised the then, the water levels in the raised of the bogs’ soil and hydrological major importance of collecting bog could be increased. However, properties are issued for tender. convincing water management it has been observed that the rising Later on, also the supervision of the evidence, starting already several water levels also increase seepage construction works is contracted. years before implementing the and considerable water loss occurs. For Bretschneider, the challenges rewetting measures and monitoring For this reason, further buffer zones today in bog protection are not the situation later on. around the current protection area missing financial resources but a are planned for the future in order to lack of human resources. The calls Jan de Vries from the increase the groundwater level. for tenders have to be prepared in Staatsbosbeheer (State authority for a professional way, the submitted nature conservation and forestry), As the last speaker, Eckhard tenders have to be evaluated, and Netherlands, is in charge of the Schmatzler presented alternatives the projects need to be managed rewetting measures in the raised bog for areas where optimal rewetting and monitored. In discussions, the reserve Bargerveen at the German- is not possible. The Lower Saxony situation was considered to be Dutch border and explained the mire protection programme states similar in the Lower Saxony region. concept. Efforts for preserving the that such areas should be developed Bargerveen reach back to 1968, when as heathland or dry areas. They are Dr Ludger Meyer from the the Staatsbosbeheer bought its first not to be used but to be grouped engineering company Heidt & Peters 68 ha area. The protection area with together with wettable areas. highlighted the possible impacts of 2,500 ha today is a fragment of the Unexpected sandbanks are only a rewetting on stakeholders in areas former Bourtanger Moor – which was small-area phenomenon though nearby. For illustrating the problems, much larger – and partly lies several due to today’s requirement of a he presented the Hannoversche meters above the surrounding 100 m x 100 m boring distance for Moorgeest, a large-scale protection cut-away area. The enormous peat harvesting applications. Larger project, controversially discussed in hydraulic pressure resulting from structures in the mineral subsoil the last few years. The water level this led to a serious failure of a peat are known and usually the polder increase has to be planned such embankment some years ago. The arrangement in the restoration that there are no adverse effects adjacent agricultural areas were plans is such that these areas go into for land use in nearby areas. All largely flooded, several houses were rewetting. Another challenge is the stakeholders should be involved very threatened. As a consequence, a rewetting of manually harvested bogs

38 PEATLANDS International 2/2012 with their strongly varying surface On the excursion day, 28 June the Stiftung Naturschutz (nature in small areas. Keeping the water 2012, the Großes und Weißes conservation trust) with the bog’s on slightly decomposed younger Moor north of Kirchwalsede was nature conservation management. peat where lateral water loss can be visited. Rainer Rahlfs from the The area has been rewetted during significant is also a difficult issue. The Untere Naturschutzbehörde (nature the last two years by building peat presentation was concluded with an conservation authority) of the embankments. The project was overview of the Lower Saxony mire Rotenburg district introduced the financed by selling ‘Ecopoints’ for protection programme. participants to the bog’s geology compensation measures, which and the history of use and nature became necessary at other locations In the final discussion after the conservation with well-prepared in the district. Pursuant to the lectures of this seminar, the role of information material. The bog was environmental impact provision of peatlands in climate change was never used for industrial extraction. the Federal Nature Protection Act, raised, as had been already done There was only some manual standardised evaluation procedures in comments during the lectures. extraction at the edges of the area. are used to determine the number Different aspects were discussed Nevertheless, a ditch system can of ‘Ecopoints’ for biotopes or use but, in general, peatland protection already be seen on the map of the types. Today, the centre of the low- and climate protection need both Preußische Landesaufnahme of 1898 lying area is under water. In the drier to be taken into account and to be (Prussian map), which also drained areas at the edges, more and more weighed against each other. The aim the centre of the bog. birch trees are growing. In the centre, should be to have appropriate water extensive soft rush populations levels serving both purposes. As an During the following walking-tour have developed, between which example, the growing of typical bog through the bog, the improvement Sphagnum cuspidatum is spreading vegetation on previous extraction of an old peat embankment and abundantly. Ms Heike Vullmer from fields with a remaining layer of the visitor management in the the nature conservation trust of the strongly decomposed peat requires area were presented and further Rotenburg (Wümme) district is in winter flooding, even though this possibilities for raising the water charge of the management of the causes methane emissions to levels were discussed. In the centre areas. She explained the measures increase. The climate aspect has to of the bog, several natural bog implemented in the Hatzter Moor be incorporated into existing mire lakes were visited, the formation of together with Ms Sigrid Vogt from protection programmes such as which had already been analysed in the Rotenburg district. foreseen in the Lower Saxony region. detail by Schneekloth (1963). These analyses were compared with today’s Special thanks for the excellently Despite the various concepts for the situation, also by taking a sample organised excursion go to the improvement of the hydrological core at the edge of a bog lake. Even Untere Naturschutzbehörde (nature balance in mires taking into account though the bog was never used, its conservation authority) of the both nature conservation and hydrology is still strongly disturbed Rotenburg district, to the authority‘s climate protection aspects, it has due to the more than 110-year-old head Jürgen Cassier and his staff, to be kept in mind that most of ditches. The water levels in the bog in particular to Rainer Rahlfs. Not the peatland areas are used for lakes have fallen at least 0.5 m as only a tasty warm meal for lunch on agricultural purposes and hence are compared to the natural situation, site with tables and benches was not readily available. Even when causing the edge areas to be dry organised, but also clearance cutting raising water levels in these areas, today with only some typical raised had been made for the walk through pedogenetic changes as well as the bog vegetation left. The greater the the Großes und Weißes Moor, which increase in nutrient content in the distance from the bog lakes, the deserves special mention, whilst topsoil lead to difficult problems for more the results of ditch blocking clearly highlighting the careful the development of near-natural and other measures for raising the preparation of the excursion. For ecosystems. It was also critically water level can be seen. Peat mosses the very successful organisation of noted that rewetting can only be and other raised bog plants have the whole seminar as well as for the carried out with the consent of all spread here under a not too dense moderation during the lecture day, landowners. This often means that shield of pine and birch trees. the author of this report would like the scattered property has to be to thank Bernhard Salomon and Dr purchased, which takes a long period In the afternoon, previous peat Joachim Blankenburg. of time. Due to the high demand production areas in the Hatzter for land, mainly caused by energy Moor were visited, which originally crop farming, peatlands are barely were planned to be transformed Dr. Gerfried Caspers German Peat Society (DGMT) sold anymore or have become very to agricultural after-use. However, State Authority for Mining, Energy and expensive. In the meantime, meaning since the areas are low-lying, the Geology (LBEG) often over decades, the peatland after-use plans were changed, Stilleweg 2 degradation continues. even though extraction had only D-30655 Hannover, Germany phone: +49 511 643 3612 left peat crumbs in large parts. [email protected] The Rotenburg district assigned www.dgmtev.org

39 Managing the Western Peatlands Irish Peat Society Annual Meeting, Study Tour and Seminar

Text: Donal Clarke

The Irish Peat Society held European Natura 2000 network. The group walking into the its annual meetings and Denis Strong, Deputy Regional Ballycroy National Park, Co. excursion in County Mayo on Manager of the National Parks and Mayo. Photo: Katherine Duff 16 - 17 October 2012. The two Wildlife Service (NPWS), outlined days were devoted to issues the long negotiations with local relating to western blanket landowners which led to significant bogs. The area visited, and reductions in over-grazing and other areas are now showing considerable discussed during the seminar, negative practices, resulting in the growth of Sphagnum between the was famously described by recovery of large areas of blanket rushes. Robert Lloyd Praeger in 1937 bog. as “the very loneliest place The next visit was to view the in this country, for the hills A bog walk on Srahduggan followed rehabilitation of 6,500 hectares of themselves are encircled by where the differences between former industrial cutaway at Bord na this vast area of trackless bog, raised and blanket bogs were Móna’s Oweninny bogs. Following I confess I find such a place outlined including those in plant the cessation of peat production not lonely or depressing but species and methods of peat in 2003, extensive blocking of inspiriting. You are thrown formation. drains was undertaken, ridges were at the same time back upon established and settlement areas – yourself and forward against This was followed by a visit to the ponds and small lakes – were formed. the mystery and majesty of Srahmore bog outside of the town By the time of this year’s visit, the nature.” of Bangor-Erris where Bord na area was almost completely covered Móna is taking wet peat from the in vegetation with some areas of The first visit was to Ballycroy site of the future natural gas facility strong Sphagnum regeneration. Dr National Park, 11,000 hectares at Bellanaboy 8 km north of the David Wilson outlined studies being of Atlantic blanket bog and Srahmore site, and spreading the undertaken on the changing carbon mountainous terrain, covering a vast peat on the surface of industrial balance in the area. Whereas the uninhabited and unspoilt wilderness. cutaway. whole complex had been a large The National Park is within the source of carbon, now areas where Owenduff/Nephin Special Area of Areas where the spreading was the water table has risen close to the Conservation (SAC) and Special completed by 2007 display successful surface are becoming either carbon Protection Area (SPA), part of the re-vegetation by soft rush. These neutral or carbon sinks.

40 PEATLANDS International 2/2012 The final visit was to an Managing the Western Peatlands area where NPWS and the forestry company Coillte are establishing a large wilderness area. It will involve combining Text: Donal Clarke 5,000 hectares of Coillte land with 3,000 hectares from the Ballycroy National Park.

The future wilderness area includes land The group that attended the currently covered with commercial The seminar the following day Irish Peat Society meeting. forestry combined with extensive continued with related themes. Photo: Bord na Mona tracts of blanket bog. Research It began with a brief introduction indicates that the area has probably by Jack Rieley, IPS Second Vice never been inhabited or farmed. President, followed by a report challenges from hydro, open-cast Bill Murphy of Coillte outlined the by Conor Skehan of the National mining, quarrying and other projects. plans to extensively thin the forests, Peatlands Council on progress in Bill Murphy gave a more detailed remove the forest roads, and leave developing a national peatlands outline of the plans for the Mayo the area to develop whatever way strategy. The seminar also ended wilderness area, which will take nature takes it. with a round table discussion on fifteen years to complete. the development of the peatlands Routes and trails will be laid out strategy. Michael Hughes of Inland Fisheries and a few overnight campsites outlined the damage caused to will be designated to include lean- Andrew Coupar of Scottish Natural rivers where run-off from blanket to shelters. The full wilderness Heritage spoke on managing bog originally caused by forestry experience will last several days. Scotland’s blanket bogs and of the and excessive grazing led to large sections of the bog falling into the river, destroying salmon spawning areas. He described modern methods of restoring the spawning potential of the river.

Finally, Antoinette Kearney described new methods of mapping peatlands in Northern Ireland using airborne radiometric data to estimate carbon stocks.

Donal Clarke Gorey, Co. Wexford, Ireland email: [email protected]

Denis Strong, Deputy Western Regional Manager NPWS, informing the group about management challenges relating to blanket bogs in the west of Ireland. Photo: Katherine Duff

41 Inefficiency banished, peat plant increases capacity

Peltracom case history Text: Janet Cass

Any company that wants to sustain which the company harvests from its from the system,” Board Chairman its average growth rate of 30 percent own sustainably managed peatlands. Mr. Skudra explains, so fugitive per year cannot afford inefficiency. The company’s exports to southern dust and cleaning expense are now “We had to change [our] baler to Europe, Asia and the Middle East significantly minimized. improve the quality of packaging have soared in recent years; its and become more efficient,” recalls market share is increasing in Italy, Peat is additionally hard to handle Mr. Renārs Skudra, Chairman of the Portugal, Malaysia, the United Arab because its fibrous character makes Board at AS Misas Kudra’s peat- Emirates and Turkey; and Peltracom it prone to bridging. Fortunately, processing facility in Latvia. Equipped products were recently launched in the baler supplied by Premier with a new baler and processing China, Taiwan and Greece. Tech Chronos is equipped with a line from Premier Tech Chronos, volumetric belt feeder that has the plant’s capacity has more than Robust expansion is welcome news a leveling device and variable doubled. for any manufacturer—but only if frequency drive (VFD) feeding speed, the manufacturer can keep pace which minimize the risk of bridging Increasing demand with demand for its products. Peat, during feeding by moving material in addition to Peltracom’s other easily and consistently through the The plant is a subsidiary of Belgium- products, is in high demand for its compression tube. In addition to based horticultural supplier capacity to conserve moisture and minimizing bridging, this equipment Peltracom, which supplies more than nutrients in plant substrates and promotes accurate packing because 1,000 different horticultural products for its ability to support the growth the leveler ensures that a consistent for the retail and professional requirements of such economically height of material is fed into the markets in addition to peat moss, important crops as strawberries, compression tube. Production is blueberries, optimized too, because the height of mushrooms and the leveler adjusts to accommodate lettuce. different bale sizes.

Mr. Renars Skudra, Chairman Material & site In addition to material-handling of the Board (right), and challenges constraints, “the biggest challenge on Factory Manager Mr. Viesturs that project was space constraints: to Šlosbergs (left), in front of the Peat conserves find a way to install all the equipment EA-450-E vertical FFS baler moisture, in into a very [limited] space, have it and a 1-L bale of peat moss. part, because integrated with existing equipment, it is dried after and optimize functionality of being harvested, the plant for current and future becoming capable equipment,” recalls Premier Tech of absorbing Chronos Project Manager Mr. Simon many times its Houle. own weight in water. However, Finding the solution once dried, peat has the potential Peltracom’s challenges continued for creating a once the peat was baled, because the dusty handling bales of semi-compressed material environment and were too soft and too small to be an accompanying successfully ejected from the four- risk of explosion. station carrousel VP-400SE-E baler “We ordered (the initial choice of Misas Kudra) en a baler with route to being conveyed and flipped options which prior to palletization. Premier Tech remove dust Chronos found the solution.

42 PEATLANDS International 2/2012 Because the relatively small, 100-liter bale size “was critical to the application, to better understand Peltracom’s expectations about the 100-L bales, before starting the project we visited the customer in Latvia,” says Mr. Houle. “After that visit, we concluded that the EA-450 baler was appropriate due to the fact that the bales are ejected [from the baler] on the wider face of the bale. No conveying on gusset face and no bale flipper are required. Using the EA-450 baler required a complete review of the layout.” Peat bales are ejected from the EA- This vertical form, fill, seal (FFS) baler 450-E vertical FFS baler (right) onto with electronic sealer packages peat feeding conveyors over the AP- and other compressible materials at 415-E palletizer (middle), en route a densification ratio of up to 2.5 :1, Training, reports Peltracom’s to the Chronos-Stretch™ Rainbow and has a small footprint that fits in plant manager, was accomplished 120-B stretch hooder (left). tight spaces such as the Peltracom so quickly that the peat-plant plant. The plant’s constrained space technicians who were the first was also accommodated by Premier employees to be trained were able pallets/hour and its capacity Tech Chronos’ AP-415-E high-level to subsequently instruct equipment for precise ultrasonic height palletizer, whose modular design operators without direct support measurement ensure that the stretch makes it easily integrated into from Premier Tech Chronos. The line hooder quickly creates correctly sized multiple layout configurations. was operating at full capacity by mid- covers. This prevents material waste, March 2012 reduces downtime and increases Fast installation and training productivity. The palletizer reduces Improved efficiency downtime and injury, too. And, due The EA-450 baler is part of a to the palletizer’s modular design, it complete line installed by Premier Premier Tech Chronos’ solution can be integrated easily into various Tech Chronos that includes an infeed to Peltracom’s need for improved layout configurations. system consisting of a receiving packaging and increased efficiency hopper and feeding conveyors; the “… improves all efficiency numbers,” “Choice of Premier Tech was due EA-450-E vertical FFS baler plus bag reports Mr. Skudra, including the cost to its experience in balers in peat conveyors; an AP-415-E high-level of packing material and labor. The industry. Premier Tech was best in palletizer; a Chronos- Stretch™ baler, for example, makes its own supplying complete line,” concludes Rainbow 120-B stretch hooder; and bags from a roll of flat film so there’s Mr. Skudra. For more information, a pallet conveying and accumulation no need to order pre-made bags. please visit www.premiertech.com. system. The universally applicable stretch Janet Cass “Premier Tech was flexible and hooder’s ability to wrap 40-120 email: [email protected] organized fast support during start up, so we were able to do production almost from the very beginning …” notes Mr. Skudra. “The complete installation and commissioning was done from the second week of January 2012 to the end of February 2012,” adds Mr. Houle. “After that period, we did some additional visits for fine tuning, adjustment and additional training.”

The feeding hopper on the right sends peat to the EA-450-E vertical FFS baler, in the middle of the photo, which ejects bales onto the feeding conveyor that leads to the AP-415-E palletizer, seen at left.

43 Carbon Accumulation Shows the Interplay between the Natural Succession of Mires and Climate Change

Text: Markku Mäkilä, Matti Saarnisto and Oleg Kuznetsov

Summary development of mires and changes pristine raised bogs in southern in the vegetation conditions have Finland and one near the White Sea Holocene carbon accumulation was contributed more to the decreasing in Russian Karelia (Fig. 1). The carbon examined from 41 peat profiles trend in carbon accumulation than accumulation was calculated using throughout Finland and Russian climatic factors. The stratigraphy of peat columns of known dry bulk Karelia, and climate variability was raised bogs suggests that carbon density, carbon content and age. interpreted using records of carbon exchange and accumulation have accumulation rates from three raised always been sensitive to the climatic The homogeneity and age of peat bogs in southern Finland and one fluctuations that have characterized deposits is of primary importance near the White Sea in Russian Karelia. the entire Holocene. A comparison when studying the carbon Natural succession, interacting was also made with a raised bog in accumulation dynamics in different with local factors and climate, the coastal area of the White Sea periods of the Holocene. Mires leads to differences in vegetation in Russian Karelia, which revealed a provide widespread material for species composition and thus in similar trend in carbon accumulation palaeoenvironmental analysis the productivity of the resulting to that in the Finnish data, thus covering the Holocene (van Geel vegetation types. In sedge-dominated suggesting that climate fluctuations 1978, Barber et al. 2004, Mäkilä northern aapa mires, the natural are the driving force and overshadow and Saarnisto 2008). The purpose local factors. of the present article is to illustrate how carbon accumulation shows Introduction the interplay between the natural succession of mires and climate Holocene carbon change. accumulation was examined Peat deposits are mainly throughout Finland autochthonous and relatively and Russian Karelia suitable for dating with radiocarbon, in 41 peat profiles especially when mosses dominate from 22 mires. the peat. Sphagnum (moss) and Climate variability Carex (sedge) peat form in different was interpreted ways (Mäkilä 2011). Sphagnum moss using records of grows from the apical bud, and the carbon accumulation lower parts of stems die and form rates in five peat peat (Fig. 2). In Carex peat (and also profiles from three in the formation of peat due to the

Figure 1. Locations of the study bogs and the regional distribution of the mire complex type regions of Finland according to Ruuhijärvi and Hosiaisluoma (1989). The raised bog region occurs to the south of the black line (regions 1–3) and the aapa mire area to the north (regions 4–7).

44 PEATLANDS International 2/2012 Long-term apparent rate of carbon accumulation (LARCA)

The long-term carbon accumulation of mires has always varied due to different climate periods, mire developmental stages, geographical locations and mire fires (Mäkilä 1997, Mäkilä et al. 2001, Heikkilä et al. 2006, Mäkilä and Moisanen 2007, Mäkilä and Saarnisto 2008). Hydrological, topographical and edaphic factors have mainly controlled variations in the carbon accumulation of aapa mires. As long as litter accumulates under anoxic conditions below the water table, peat accumulation rates mostly depend on organic matter production, and thus on the fertility Figure 2. Formation of Sphagnum Figure 3. Formation of Carex peat. of the mire water (e.g. Damman peat. Picture drawn by Harri Picture drawn by Harri Kutvonen. 1996). After the most productive Kutvonen. initial stages of development, net carbon accumulation rates in mires generally decline (Mäkilä et al. 2001, Mäkilä & Moisanen 2007). The decay of other vascular plants), the in layers younger than 300 years carbon accumulation of the sedge most important constituents are were measured in ombrotrophic peat became slower in the mires (Fig. roots (Fig. 3). A certain proportion mire site types Sphagnum fuscum 5) during the warmest period of the of roots dies and regenerates, so bog and Sphagnum fuscum pine bog Holocene 9,000-6,000 years ago. besides living roots there are also (Mäkilä & Goslar 2008), (Fig. 4). Wet dead roots of different ages in the oligrotrophic and minerotrophic In the future, it appears that carbon same peat unit. All roots eventually treeless mire site types came next. accumulation in surface layers will die and form peat. The lowest carbon accumulation was increase most in raised bogs with a recorded in the most transformed, dense cover of Sphagnum fuscum on Materials and Methods sparcely forested and forested mire hummocks (Fig. 5). There will also site types. These mires have the be slight increase in accumulation in Actual rate of carbon accumulation lowest water table. southern aapa mires after the mires (ARCA)

The high carbon accumulation in the surface layers of mires is 80 ) - 1 r

temporary and mainly related y to the development of the - 2 70 m

( g mire. Only sub-surface carbon 60 accumulation rates can indicate on at i any real (delayed) long-term trends l 50 m u

in net carbon accumulation rates, u 40 which incorporate the effects of ac c autogenetic development of the 30 bon

mire and climatic change on primary a r

c 20 f

production and decomposition in o the surface layers of mires. The te 10 a highest carbon accumulation rates R 0

Figure 4. The average carbon accumulation rate in layers younger than 300 years in relation to the mire site type.

45 peat and charcoal layers in the studied bogs.

Conclusions

Natural succession, interacting with local factors and climate, leads to differences in vegetation species composition and thus in the productivity of the resulting vegetation types. The surface layers of mires are still undergoing a rapid carbon cycle. This means that carbon accumulation rates measured in the uppermost layers cannot be used in estimating long- term carbon sequestration rates. In sedge-dominated aapa mires, Figure 5. Carbon accumulation the natural development of the rates in raised bog regions, aapa Between the dry periods there was mires and changes in the vegetation mire regions and coastal mires. a moist period about 5,000 years conditions have contributed more ago when carbon accumulation to the decreasing trend in carbon greatly increased (Fig. 6). Thereafter, accumulation than climatic factors. become overgrown with Sphagnum. the climate varied considerably In sedge-dominated northern aapa with regard to precipitation and Sphagnum moss is more sensitive mires, the natural mire development became cooler. The leveling-out to changes in climate than Carex and changes in the vegetation and subsequent increase in carbon peat, and also more suitable for conditions have contributed more accumulation rates in the raised bog radiocarbon dating. The stratigraphy to the decreasing trend of carbon region after 4,500 cal BP indicates of raised bogs suggests that carbon accumulation than climatic factors. the development of Scheutzeria- exchange and accumulation have In young coastal bogs, carbon Sphagnum (section Cuspidata)- always been sensitive to the climatic accumulation is gradually decreasing, dominated plant associations fluctuations that have characterized because they have mainly passed the connected with an increasingly the entire Holocene (Mäkilä and early stage of their development. humid climate. It was especially cold Saarnisto 2008). A comparison with and moist 2,600-2,800 years ago, a raised bog in the coastal area of Carbon accumulation versus climate as revealed by the evidence from the White Sea in Russian Karelia change plant macrofossils of Sphagnum revealed a similar trend in carbon (section Acutifolia) and relatively accumulation to that in the Finnish High net carbon accumulation low peat decomposition. Lower data, thus suggesting that climate rates can be attributed to low carbon accumulation rates between fluctuations are the driving force and decomposition rates and wet- 1400-2400 cal BP may indicate a dry overshadow local factors. inhabiting species associated with climate shown by more humified humid periods with a more positive precipitation-evaporation balance. A marked decline in the carbon accumulation rate may indicate Virmobog Southern Finland a period with a relatively dry and warm climate (e.g. Mäkilä and 45 Saarnisto 2008, Charman et al. 2008, 40 ) 1 -

Saarnisto 2009). Dry periods of this yr

2 35 - kind occurred, for example 6,350- m g 30 (

5,950 and 4,900-4,600 years ago. n

ti o 25 l a

m u 20 u c a c 15 n o Figure 6. Average rate of long-term 10 Car b carbon accumulation during the 5 last 6 600 years in three raised 0 bogs in southern Finland and 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 Virmobog near the White Sea in Age (years cal BP) Russian Karelia.

46 PEATLANDS International 2/2012 References Mäkilä, M., Saarnisto, M. and Kankainen, ajankohtaista suomalaista geo- ja T. (2001). Aapa mires as a carbon sink ympäristötieteellistä tutkimusta. Bidrag and source during the Holocene. Journal till kännedom av Finlands natur och folk. Barber, K., Zolitschka, B., Tarasov, P. and of Ecology 89(4), pp. 589-599. 180. Helsinki. Suomen Tiedeseura, pp. Lotter, A.F. (2004). Atlantic to Urals-the Mäkilä, M. and Moisanen, M. (2007). 127-140. Holocene climatic record of mid-latitude Holocene lateral expansion and carbon van Geel, B., Raspopov, O.M., van der Europe. R.W. Batterbee et al. (ed.), In accumulation on Luovuoma, a northern Plicht, J. and Renssen, H. (1998). Solar Past Climate Variability through Europe fen in Finnish Lapland. Boreas 36, pp. Forcing of Abrupt Climate Change and Africa. pp. 417-441. Springer, 198-210. around 850 Calendar Years BC. In B.J. Dordrecht, The Netherlands. Mäkilä, M. and Goslar, T. (2008). The Peiser, T. Palmerand M.E. Bailey (eds.), Charman, D.J., Booth, R. K., Mäkilä, M. carbon dynamics of surface peat layers Natural catastrophes during Bronze Age and Sirin, A. (2008). Peatlands and past in southern and central boreal mires of civilisations. BAR International Series climate change. In F. Parish, A. Sirin, A, Finland and Russian Karelia. Suo - Mires 728, pp. 162-168. D. Charman, H. Joosten, T. Minaeva, and Peat 59(3), pp. 49-69. M. Silvius and L. Stringer (eds.), Mäkilä, M. and Saarnisto, M. (2008). Assessment on peatlands, biodiversity Carbon accumulation in boreal peatlands and climate change. Global Environment during the Holocene – impacts of climate Centre, Kuala Lumpur and Wetlands variations, pp. 24-43. In M. Strack (ed.), International Wageningen, pp. 39-59. Peatlands and climate change. 223 pp. ISBN No: 978-983-43751-0-2. Mäkilä, M. (2011). Carbon accumulation Markku Mäkilä and Matti Saarnisto Damman, A.W.H. (1996). Peat in pristine and drained mires. In Geological Survey of Finland accumulation in fens and bogs: effects K. Nenonen and P. Nurmi (eds.), P.O. Box 96 of hydrology and fertility. In R. Laiho, J. Geoscience for Society: 125th 02151 Espoo, Finland Laine and H. Vasander (eds.), Northern Anniversary Volume. Geological Survey phone: +358 20 550 12 Peatlands in Global Climatic Change, of Finland. Special Paper 49. Espoo, pp. email: [email protected], Proceedings of the International 171-177. [email protected] Workshop held in Hyytiälä, Finland, 8-12 Ruuhijärvi, R. and Hosiaisluoma, V. (1989). October 1995. pp. 213-222. Publications Atlas of Finland. P. Alalammi (ed.), Oleg Kuznetsov of the Academy of Finland, 1/96. Folio 141–143, Biogeography, Nature Institute of Biology Mäkilä, M. (1997). Holocene lateral Conservation, 5th edition, National Board Karelian Research Centre RAS expansion, peat growth and carbon of Survey and Geographical Society of Petrozavodsk, Russia accumulation on Haukkasuo, a raised Finland, Helsinki, 32 pp., 3 app. maps. email: [email protected] bog in southeastern Finland. Boreas 26, Saarnisto, M. (2009). Jääkauden jälkeinen pp.1-14. ilmasto. In: Maan ytimestä avaruuteen:

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47 Status of Peatlands and Peat in Finland today 70 Years of Peatland Research at the

Text: Jaakko Silpola Geological Survey of Finland Photos: Taina Järvinen, GTK

The Geological Survey Topics covered included for instance The festive speech of the seminar of Finland (Geologian the current situation of the Finnish was given by Mr Esa Härmälä, Tutkimuskeskus, GTK) has Peatland Strategy; needs for Director General of the Energy organized peat and peatland additional peatland protection; the Department of the Ministry of research for 70 years in the use of peat for energy; possibilities Employment and the Economy. country and abroad. On that to use peat in the chemical He reported that, according to the occasion, a festive seminar on industry; a provincial case of land energy guidelines of the Finnish “Peatlands in Finnish Nature use planning on peatlands; as well Government, the use of peat in and Economy” was held at the as a presentation of the peatland energy production is supposed to GTK headquarters in Espoo on research of the GTK in the past and decrease by one third by the mid 28 November 2012. in future. 2020s. Despite that, fuel peat is going to have its important share in the The seminar was opened by Mr Elias In that connection, long term GTK Finnish energy system, reminded Mr Ekdahl, Director General of the GTK. geologist Mr Eino Lappalainen, Härmälä. During the day, several presentations who has also been a very active IPS gave a broad update and future member, received the “Silver Signet” He also underlined that it makes prospects for the existence, Award of Honour of the Geological one worry when many power plants protection and use of peat and Survey for his long-time work and nowadays get prepared to increase peatlands in Finland. commitment from Mr Ekdahl. the use of coal because of difficulties in peat supplies. The Finnish Government has recently outlined a new principle to classify peatlands into several categories according to their natural status. This is based on the Finnish National Peatland Strategy. Mr Härmälä is afraid that even though high value peatlands will be saved and protected according to the new strategy, fewer decisions will be made which low value peatlands can be utilised for peat production.

In practice, peat production operators may not apply for licences for high value peatlands, as classified by the Government’s new peat and

Geologist Eino Lappalainen receiving the GTK “Silver Signet” medal from Director General Elias Ekdahl.

48 PEATLANDS International 2/2012 peatland principles. However, at the same time those principles do not Director General Esa necessarily provide means how to Härmälä from the obtain production licences faster Energy Department that before for low value peatlands, of the Ministry of Employment and the mentioned Mr Härmälä. In addition, Economy reminded he stated that a responsible use of in his festive speech peat is legal and fair in the future, that fuel peat is going too. to have an important share in the Finnish According to Mr Härmälä, it must energy system also in be kept in mind that more than one the future. fourth of the Finnish land area is covered by peat. With this amount of peatlands, Finland actually has the possibility to determine several land use objectives for these areas at the same time. Their ecosystem functions need attention first, he stated – enough peatlands must such as absorbing oil be protected both in quantity and spills, he said. quality. Special attention In addition to the use of peat must also be paid to for energy production, peat the after-use of peat and peatlands are needed also extraction sites. Mr in agriculture and forestry, for Härmälä told the audience that he Jaakko Silpola production of growing media, for has seen fine wetlands on places IPS Secretary General landscaping and animal bedding as that used to be peat production sites Jyväskylä, Finland well as in environmental applications before. email: [email protected]

ISHS-IPS International Symposium on

Growing Media and

Soilless Cultivation

Leiden, the Netherlands 17 - 21 June 2013 www.grosci2013.wur.nl

49 Technical Meeting on an Integrated Management Plan for Peatlands in Southeast Asia

Text: Noor Azura Ahmad

The balance between implementation of the ASEAN • Share experience on integrated hydrology, soil and vegetation Peatland Forests Project (APFP), management of peatlands from is crucial to the ability of SEApeat Project as well as some the region; peatland areas to support regional experts. • Identify strengths and weaknesses biodiversity, regulate water and gaps for implementation of supply and maintain, if not To encourage sustainable existing plans; increase, soil carbon stocks in management of key peatland areas • Identify good practices and lessons Southeast Asia. in Southeast Asia, speakers from learned; and the region and staff from several • Identify key principles to guide To ensure the sustainable Malaysian government agencies future integrated management management of peatlands and peat involved in peatland management measures. swamp forests, the importance shared their thoughts and of integrated management of experiences. Peatland management The meeting was successfully held peat swamp forests cannot be in Southeast Asia, over the last 2-3 and was made possible by support stressed enough. These were the decades is at a crossroads. Moving from IFAD/GEF and the European thoughts from deliberations of a forward to resolve these peatland Union through the APFP and SEApeat Technical Meeting on Integrated issues and managing it to achieve the projects. Management Plans for Peatlands objectives of the ASEAN Agreement in Southeast Asia held on 9-10 on Transboundary Haze Pollution Demonstrating Actions on the July 2012 in Pahang, Malaysia and (AATHP) and guidance of the ASEAN Ground by Malaysia attended by 40 participants from Peatland Management Strategy Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and (APMS), the meeting focussed on key The host country, Malaysia, organized the Philippines; involved in the objectives including: a field visit for the participants, to

Dr Raman Letchumanan, Project Director and Head of ASEAN Environment Division opening the meeting. Photo: Chin Sing Yun

50 PEATLANDS International 2/2012 highlight some practical solutions that are being applied particularly to The improvised crane and grabber control forest and peatland fires, and setup. Photo: Chin Sing Yun through inter-agency cooperation, sustainable timber harvesting and rehabilitation in peatland areas.

In the Penor Forest Reserve, a peat forest surrounded by urban and agricultural zones, a tube well, fire watch tower and check dams have been constructed to help prevent and control the annual incidences of fire in the surrounding land.

This approach is guided by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and involves inter- agency cooperation from the Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia From 520,000 ha of Forest Reserve is lower than the allowed coupe of (FDPM), Department of Drainage managed under the Sustainable 500 ha/yr. The group also visited and Irrigation (DID), the Department Forest Management System (SFM) an area which has regenerated well of Geology and Minerals (DGM), in Pahang, 200,000 ha is peat 12 years after logging. Areas logged Department of Environment (DOE), swamp forest, making up about 60% using RIL have shown better forest Fire and Rescue Department of of protection forests and 40% of recovery compared to areas logged Malaysia (FRDM) and the Malaysian production forest in the state. Logged using conventional methods. Volunteer Corps (RELA). using the Selective Management System (SMS), affected areas are Some valuable thoughts from The tube well was commissioned replanted, including the 20 m buffer the Region by DID and managed by DGM zone area. to supplement water flow in dry Eight speakers from Peninsular seasons and provide a water source At this site, there was a Malaysia (Pekan FR), Sabah (Klias FR), for fire fighting. Four check dams demonstration of RIL using a Sarawak (Loagan Bunut NP), West have also been built and maintained modified grabber and crane to Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, Riau by DID to regulate the water level in extract felled timber. Due to the provinces, Philippines and Vietnam the neighboring canals as part of the high cost and strict regulations for presented experiences with the fire prevention measures. sustainable logging in peat swamp integrated management planning in areas, the logging activity in the area their respective locations. Several The watch tower is managed by the DOE and manned by volunteers from RELA. Powerful binoculars and a compass are utilised in fire detection during the dry months. In the event of fire, the FDPM and FRDM are responsible for providing immediate assistance.

In the Pekan Forest Reserve, Reduced Impact Logging (RIL) is practiced Participants looking at a map under guidance of of Forest Reserves in Pahang, Malaysia. Photo: Chin Sing Yun the Pahang Forestry Department.

51 hydrological management to reduce the rate of subsidence, optimise production of economic products and prevent fires at all times. The meeting also recommended that governments and other stakeholders should work together to address the following:

• Manage peatlands in an integrated manner • Collate best practice and experience for integrated peatland management and develop Demonstration of water pumping guidelines; at the tube well in Penor. Photo: Noor Azura Ahmad • Develop IMPs for all significant/ large scale peatland ecosystems and enhance the availability of resources for the implementation notable points were highlighted and conservation area boundaries on of the existing IMPs; discussed during the meeting. the quality of protected forests and • Strengthen the linkage and its hydrology. Dr Le Phat Quoi from coordination between IMP Dr Khali Hamzah from Forest Vietnam highlighted the importance activities with implementation Research Institute Malaysia of keeping water at optimum levels of the national and regional (FRIM) stressed the importance instead of constant flooding because mechanisms; of stakeholder consultation and while flooding helped to control fires, • Improve the engagement of key endorsement to ensure that the it affected vegetation growth. Some stakeholders; Management Plan is implemented. natural fluctuation is also necessary • Enhance regional and national He also shared a lesson learnt for the growth of seasonal grass cooperation and exchange among regarding the importance of beds in the area. The event report related stakeholders; financing in effective implementation and presentations are available • Monitor and report regularly of the management plan. From on www.aseanpeat.net/index. at local, national and regional the views of West Kalimantan, the cfm?&menuid=164&parentid=116. levels on the status and suitability of crops for agriculture on trends in peatland protection peatlands is related to the challenge Recommendations and management and the of addressing economic needs of implementation of IMPs for key communities living on peatlands. The meeting concluded that it is areas. In Loagan Bunut, Sarawak, the necessary to focus on coordinated • Strengthen the institutional & speaker shared his experience with management of peat domes regulatory framework for peatland the effect of development outside or hydrological units; and good management at national and local levels and assign clear responsibilities for peatland The ASEAN Peatland Forest Project (APFP), funded by the Global protection and management. Environment Facility (GEF) and the International Fund for Agricultural • Link IMPs for peatlands with Development (IFAD); is led by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ongoing work on climate change, (ASEAN) Secretariat and selected ASEAN Member States. REDD, subsidence control and community development. Global Environment Centre (GEC) is the Regional Project Executing • Strengthen capacity for Agency the APFP. It aims to demonstrate, implement and scale up the integrated peatland management integrated management of peatlands in Southeast Asia. The related through training and awareness SEApeat project, funded by the European Union through GEC seeks to programmes as well as Research reduce deforestation and GHG emissions caused by the degradation of and Development (R&D) activities. peatland forests in Southeast Asia. For further information, please The combined projects involve all ten ASEAN countries in regional contact us at: activities and/or pilot site activities for the period 2010-2014. The projects aim to promote and support the implementation of the ASEAN Noor Azura Ahmad Peatland Management Strategy (2006-2020) especially related to Global Environment Centre capacity building, fire prevention and sustainable management of Petaling Jaya peatlands in the region. Further details of these two initiatives can be Selangor, Malaysia Tel: +603 7957 2007 found at www.aseanpeat.net. email: [email protected]

52 PEATLANDS International 2/2012 International Peat Society: THE meeting point for all peat and peatland experts. Learn more at www.peatsociety.org

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IPS Secretariat Kauppakatu 19 D 31 40100 Jyväskylä, Finland Susann Warnecke: +358 40 418 4075 Jaakko Silpola: +358 50 406 4836 HORTIFIBRE® the green choice

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15426_AP_210x148,5.indd 1 24/06/11 10:34 International Symposium on Wild Fire and Carbon Management in Indonesian peatland forests

Bogor, 13 - 14 SeptemberText: Jack Rieley 2012

This symposium organised jointly by of biodiversity, carbon and water. forest and climate change activities in the Japan International Collaboration Tropical peat swamp forests in their Indonesia (REDD+ and MRV system), Agency (JICA) and Japan Science natural state make an important capacity building, education and and Technology Agency (JST) in contribution to regional and global networking. collaboration with a range of biodiversity and provide a vital, but Indonesian Government sponsors undervalued habitat, for rare and The Objectives of the Symposium: and the University of Hokkaido was threatened species, especially birds, (1) Synthesize knowledge on held in Novotel, Bogor, Indonesia fish, mammals and reptiles. The past, present and future trends on 13-14 September 2012. It was increased awareness of emissions relating to wildfires and the carbon attended by 264 participants from from developed tropical peatland has management of peat forest. 10 countries. created strong political support for (2) Provide information on the reducing deforestation and peatland possible impacts of climate Background degradation (REDD), specifically in change, as well as guidance for Indonesia that is responsible for the stakeholders in the area of planning, In Southeast Asia, peatlands cover bulk of the emissions. implementation and scenarios more than 26 million hectares (REDD-plus, MRV system, etc.). (69% of all tropical peatlands), at The “Wild Fire and Carbon (3) Compile a roadmap that provides altitudes from sea level to about Management in Peat-Forest in a short to long term vision on 50 m above, mostly near the coasts Indonesia” project has been research needs (capacity building, of East Sumatra, Kalimantan, West conducted by JST-JICA in Central networks, etc.). Papua, Papua New Guinea, Brunei, Kalimantan since 2008 in conjunction Peninsular Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak with Indonesian authorities in order Symposium programme and Southeast Thailand. There are to develop a fire awareness and approximately 6 million hectares carbon management system. This Professor Jack Rieley of the of peatland in Kalimantan with a JST-JICA International Symposium on University of Nottingham, UK thickness varying from 0.3 m to 20 m. Wild Fire and Carbon Management and Second Vice President of the in Peat-Forest in Indonesia 2012 was Natural lowland tropical peatlands held to share updated information, are dominated by peat swamp experiences on project activities and Group photo of the participants forest and are important reservoirs other special sessions such as recent of the symposium. Photo: JST-JICA Organising Committee

54 PEATLANDS International 2/2012 programme lasted two days and consisted of four cores sessions and four special sessions.

Core sessions

1. Remote sensing, carbon and ecosystem management of tropical peatland 2. Evaluation of carbon storage and carbon flux of tropical peatland 3. Sustainable management of carbon, biodiversity and tropical peatland ecosystems Bogor, 13 - 14 September 2012 4. Integrated tropical peatland management

Special sessions

Prof. Jack Rieley from Nottingham 1. National policy and Prof. Mitsuru Osaki from University, IPS Second Vice demonstration activities on Hokkaido University, Japan. President. Photo: Hendrik Segah REDD+ mechanism Photo: Hendrik Segah 2. Policy assessment and evaluation International Peat Society was invited modelling of environment and range of research topics allied to the to be guest keynote speaker on the ecosystem symposium theme. The proceedings topic ‘Tropical Peatland in Southeast 3. Challenging of REDD+ and forest of the symposium will be published Asia – Burning Issues’. management activities in Asian in due course. countries The symposium was opened 4. Capacity building and Kalimantan by representatives of the Japan university consortium Jack Rieley International Co-operation Agency Chair of IPS Commission IX on Tropical (JICA), Embassy of Japan, Indonesia, In addition there was a poster Peatlands Nottingham, United Kingdom Indonesian Institute of Sciences presentation session to which 34 phone: +44 1949 20920 and Hokkaido University, Japan. The posters were submitted on a wide email: [email protected]

At the poster exhibition. Photo: Hendrik Segah Steep Increase in Oil Palm Plantations on Peat in Southeast Asia Text and photos: Jack Rieley

to oil palm plantations leading to loss of wildlife habitat and releasing large amounts of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. A recent study using satellite imagery2 shows that peat swamp forest in Sarawak was cleared at a rate of 8% per year during this period as a result of which 33.4% of peat swamp forest was converted to oil palm plantations. The study also showed that 44% of all oil palm plantations in Sarawak were on peatland.

Another study3 demonstrated that the area of oil palm plantations on the peatlands of Indonesia and Malaysia increased over the last 20 years from a very small area in 1990 to at least 2.15 million hectares by 2010. Under present projections this is expected to almost double to 4.1 million hectares by 2020 although it Photo 1: Natural peat swamp forest in Central could be larger. Kalimantan, Indonesia Approximately 441,000 km2 The vast carbon stocks in Southeast (11%) of global peatland is Asian peatland1 are causing concern located in tropical countries, over how much peatland destruction mostly in Southeast Asia on peatland in Indonesia and the increased demand for biodiesel where they contain around 70 Malaysia, countries with the largest will cause. For optimal growth of gigatonnes of carbon (Table 11). share of global palm oil production. oil palm the water table ahould be Between 2005 and 2010, 353,000 maintained 60 cm or more below In their natural condition lowland hectares of peat swamp forest were the surface. Lowered water levels tropical peatlands consists of deforested, drained and converted create aerobic conditions that favour peat deposits up to 20 m thick that support a vegetation of rain forest trees up to 50 m in height. Table 1: Area of tropical peatland in different geographical regions (based on Peat swamp forest is waterlogged Page et al., 2011) throughout the year and for most REGION AREA AREA part the water is above the peat (best estimate) (km2) (Range) (km2) surface. It is one of the most Asia (southeast) 247,778 (56%) 236,647-336,115 biodiverse ecosystems on the planet. South America 107,486 (24%) 95,335-143,936 Africa 55,860 (13%) 29,464-135,043 Legal requirements in Europe and Central America and Caribbean 23,374 (5%) 20,761-31,210 Asia (mainland) 6,337 (1%) 4,804-10,936 USA to increase the proportion of Australia and Pacific Islands 190 (0%) 190 biofuels used for transport is driving TOTAL 441,025 387,201-657,430 the expansion of oil palm plantations

56 PEATLANDS International 2/2012 sees the cultivation of oil palm as a natural extension of land-use, and an opportunity to diversify its activities for the benefit of the local community. In addition, Woodman is also a leader in the use of bio- fertilizer in the region.

Woodman assures that new oil palm planting as well as existing Text and photos: Jack Rieley oil palm tree maintenance and harvesting operations are planned and conducted efficiently with minimal damage to the environment. The company practices a Controlled Burning Policy in its new planting developments by burning tree debris in the wet season to minimise fire

damage to and CO2 from the peat. Photo 2: Oil palm fresh fruit Palm biomass such as pruned fronds, bunches being transported from emptied fruit bunches (EFB) and canal to a collection point in old palm stems are recycled back to Woodman plantation, Sarawak the soil as natural fertilizers. Kernel shells and EFB’s are also used as a renewable energy source in the Crude Palm Oil Mills (CPO) via steam

peat oxidation (decomposition) and emissions (CO2) were still a subject of generation for power. increased carbon dioxide emission impassioned debate.’ In support of to the atmosphere. Fire that is used his arguments he mentions Dr Lulie Woodman currently has two CPO to get rid of forest debris during Melling, Head of the Tropical Peat mills in operation in Sarawak, peatland clearance can release Research Centre, Kuching and Tan Sri which have a combined capacity of additional large amounts of carbon Yusof Basiron, Head of the Malaysian into the environment4. Carbon Palm Oil Council. The latter is a dioxide emissions from oil palm strong critic of the scientific evidence plantations range from 50 to over that confirms the large amount Footnotes 2 100 tonnes per hectare a year . of CO2 released in the conversion of peat swamp forest to oil palm 1. Page et al (2011) Global and The palm oil industry disputes the plantations. regional importance of the magnitude of GHG emissions from oil tropical peatland carbon pool. Global change Biology, 17: palm plantations, the speed at which Responsible peatland 798-818 peat is subsiding and the timescale management of oil palm 2. SarVison (2011) Impact of Oil by when it will become impossible plantation? Palm Plantations on Peatland to continue cultivation. According to Conversion in Sarawak 2005- 2010. SarVision, Wageningen, 5 one account oil palm cultivation on One of the companies that are The Netherlands peat in Southeast Asia accounts for developing oil palm plantations in 3. Hooijer et al (2011) Historical Analysis and Projection of Oil 5.3% of CO2 emission in the tropics Sarawak, Malaysia is the Woodman or 1.2% of total CO emission from Group that is headed by Dato’ Sri Palm Plantation Expansion on 2 Peatland in Southeast Asia. agriculture on peat globally. It is Law Kiu Kiong. In addition to oil palm International Council on Clean

contended that current rates of CO2 plantations and crude palm oil mills Transportation, White paper No emission on tropical peat are grossly Woodman Group has commercial 17, Washington DC, USA overestimated because there are few interests in coal mining, shipping, 4. Page et al (2002) The amount of carbon released from peat and studies and lack of knowledge of the biofertiliser manufacture and golf forest fires in Indonesia during characteristics of tropical peat. courses and resorts. 1997. Nature, 420: 61-65 5. Foong-Kheong et al (2010) The controversy has generated much Woodman began the development of Estimation of GHG emissions from peat used for agriculture interest in the press in Southeast its oil palm plantations near Bintulu with special reference to oil Asia. For example, the Borneo Post in 1999 and has since then expanded palm. Journal of Oil Palm and Online posted a blog by Mahbob operations into the Kuala Baram the Environment, 1: 1-17. Abdullah6 who praised the planting region. Its planted area totals more 6. Borneo Post Online (August 2012) Oil Palm on Peat in of oil palm on peat and stated that than 30,000 ha with another 20,000 Sarawak. ‘the details and quantity of these ha under development. Woodman

57 that of Sarawak’s average yield while reducing environmental impact.

Photo 3: Jack Rieley with group More than half of its annual fertilizer inside Woodman oil palm budget is spent on organic and plantation, Sarawak (centre: Jack bio-fertilizers. Unlike chemical Rieley; second left: Peter Sawal; fertilizers, organic and bio-fertilizers second right: Law Kiu Kiong.) are environmentally friendly, restore natural soil fertility and solve the problems of salinity of the soil and chemical run-off from the oil palm fields into the drains and subsequently rivers. The primary advantages of bio-fertilizer are that it enhances the availability of different nutrients in the soil.

Woodman understands the need to strike a balance between economic performance and social and environmental responsibility. In Sarawak, there are many indigenous people who live in the areas of their operations, including the Kenyah, Kelabit, Kayan, Iban, Penan, Punan, Lun Bawang, Saban and many others. Woodman prides its self in being an equal opportunity employer and hires people regardless of their race, religion or cultural background.

Jack Rieley IPS Commission IX on Tropical Peatlands Nottingham, United Kingdom phone: +44 1949 20920 email: [email protected] processing approximately 800,000 Mt of fresh fruit bunches (FFB) per annum. There are plans for a third and fourth mill to be constructed over the next few years that will position Woodman as one of the largest palm oil processing companies in the region.

Woodman seeks to maximize its oil palm fruit yield per hectare through agronomy best practice, science and technology. In 2008, Woodman’s average yield was 40% above Sarawak’s average yield. By 2010, Woodman aimed to double

Photo 4: Peatland in Woodman plantation, Sarawak being prepared for oil palm planting by compressing the surface prior to burning the tree remains from the former peat swamp forest.

58 PEATLANDS International 2/2012 Welcome to the “peat family”!

New IPS Members

We welcome the following individual persons, institutes, companies, non-government organisations and/or their representatives as new IPS members. Updates in their membership lists are provided by our National Committees as soon as they occur, or at least at the end of each year on request of the IPS Secretariat (status 11 January 2013).

Individual Members Student Members Swedish National Committee: Ingrid Kyllerstedt (Swedish Peat China: Hongyan Zhao, Huang Canadian Society for Peat and Producers Association) Qinghui, Meng Xianmin, Qui Peatlands (CSPP): Sarah Howie UK Peat Society: Christopher Juan, Shang Delin, Wang UK Peat Society: Kieran Stanley Turner (William Sinclair Shengzhong, Wang Zhongqiang, Peru: Monica Sofia Maldonado Horticulture Ltd) Wu Genquan, Zhang Zixue, Zhao Fonken Guorong Falkland Islands: Jo Tanner Please note that not all National Research institutes Finnish Peatland Society Committees offer student (Suoseura): Jaana Haapala, Pia membership yet. However, Polish National Committee: Kangas, Jouko Karinen, Mari they often have reasonable Radoslaw Dobrowolski, Justyna Könönen, Saara Lilja-Rothsten, membership fees for individual Dresler, Irena Agnieszka Pidek, Anu Lounela, Markku Palén, members - just ask. (University of Marie-Curie Marjo Palviainen, Kati Pihlaja, Sklodowska in Lublin), Marcin Päivi Rikalainen, Teppo Sainio, Becher, Dorota Kalembasa, Markku Suoknuuti, Minna Corporate Members Stanislaw Kalembasa (Siedlce Väliranta University of Natural Science Irish Peat Society: Alastair Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss and Humanities), Anna Mikosz, Cameron, Joanne Denyer, David Association (CSPMA): Stephanie Ewelina Tokarz (University of Healy, Antoinette Kearney, Jim Boudreau (Canadian Sphagnum Life Science in Lublin), Agnieszka McAdam, Jennifer McKinley, Bill Peat Moss Association); Bob Wagner, Edyta Waniek, Stanislaw Murphy, Ger Noonan, Cliona Falconi (Premier Tech Home and Zakowicz (Warsaw University of O’Brien, David Perry, Don Quinn, Garden), Todd Moore (Scotts Life Sciences), Romualda Bejger Shane Regan, Jack Rieley Miracle-Gro Company), Gary (West Pomeranian University of Latvian Peat Producers Association Zielke (John Deere Limited), Technology), Zygmunt Miatkowski (Latvijas Kūdras ražotāju Thierry-Michel Racicot (Farm (Institute of Technology and Life asociācija): Vilnis Nollendorfs Credit Canada, (FCC) Sciences Bydgoszcz) (honorary member) China: Wang Zhong (Jilin Sunnow Malaysian Peat Society: Bettycopa Industry Co. Ltd.), Zhang Anak Amit, Mohd Roslan bin Xueyi (Quingyan Biyuan Peat Md Noor, Aimi Khairunnisa binti Development Co. Ltd. Abdul Kadir, Hasimah binti Mos, Latvian Peat Producers Association Nur Amanina binti Shahabuddin, (Latvijas Kūdras ražotāju Nur Maisarah Jantan, Lip Khoon asociācija): Andrejs Buzajevs Kho, Ella Michael Dosi, Rina (Meliors Krauja Ltd.), Marks Tommy Cepelevs (B-Peat Ltd.), Bernd Russia: Valeriy Kreshtapov, Vera Hofer (Hofer & Pautz GbR), Kreshtapova Martins Kevins (Pabazu Kudra UK Peat Society: Roxane Andersen, Ltd.), Raimonds Petersons (Zibu Samuel Foster kudra Ltd.) Lithuanian Peat Producers Association (Lietuviškos durpės): Darius Karcmarinas (UAB Sulinkiai), Vidmantas Vitkevicius (UAB Rempaka)

You are very welcome to join us, too! Please visit www.peatsociety.org/join-us, contact the National Committee in your country (addresses at www.peatsociety.org/about-us/national-committees and in the Annual Report) or fill in the membership application form on page 47 in this magazine.

59 Soundly about peatland forestry

Päivänen, J. & Hånell, B. 2012. Peatland Ecology and Forestry – a Sound Approach. University of Helsinki Department of Forest Sciences Publications 3, 267 pp. Vammalan kirjapaino Oy Ltd, ISBN: 978-952-10-4531-8. Review: Sakari Sarkkola

Book Review book market. Both of the authors, most of the cubic meters of wood Juhani Päivänen from Finland and harvested globally on peatlands are Björn Hånell from Sweden, have coming from this country. exceptionally long scientific careers and versatile expertise in ecology, From the mire initiation to drainage and forestry on mires and wood production peatlands. Peatland forestry is not only Peatland forestry soundly silviculture, but it is retaining a large range of knowledge and First, the attention of the reader is sciences such as ecology, hydrology, paid on the title of the book, where soil science and technology. The the terms, ecology and forestry, are first chapter provides a short but presented equally. Even though the inclusive view of the mire ecology, word “ecology” is often too lightly starting from the terminology and used, in this title, however, it is the initiation mechanisms of peat perfect, because about half of the and peatland ecosystems, continuing content of the book is concerning to the amounts of peatlands, the the function and structure of physical and chemical characteristics Need for new textbook of peatland ecosystems. Respectively, of peat, carbon and nutrient peatland forestry the authors have clearly attempted dynamics and hydrology. Finally to avoid to use the trendy term there are short presentations of the Peatlands are admittedly - whether ”sustainable”, which has been prevailing peatland classification they are drained or in pristine state- replaced by the more objective word systems both in Finland and in a significant natural resource in “sound”. This is reasonable, because the other Nordic countries. The boreal zone. Even though, Finland the sustainability in forestry on terminology used is well-explained can be regarded as “superpower” peatlands may create unsustainable and includes practically all the of peatland forestry with half a mire ecosystems due to man-made important terms related to peat and billion cubic meters of wood on drainage. peatland ecosystems. peat, also the neighboring countries such as Sweden and Norway have Although the book shares some of Not until the seventh and eighth long traditions in the utilization of the basic knowledge with the former chapters, is the turn of forestry peatlands for forestry purposes. one, it is an independent new book issues: history of forestry on Furthermore, we cannot forget that including perspectives and style of peatlands, the ecological principles locally extensive forestry is also its own. Furthermore, the new huge of forestry, and the management carried out e.g. in the British Isles, scientific knowledge accumulated practices and restrictions in the Baltic countries, north-western during the latest decades is operational forestry. Besides Russia and North America. Overall, comprehensively updated in the conventional management rules, we can very well say that the interest book. Particularly, the knowledge attention has also been paid to of foresters in peatland forestry and practices carried out in the other alternative approaches in forestry, is appearing in all regions, where Nordic countries besides Finland such as methods of uneven-aged ever peatlands occur, and lately, are highlighted in the book. This has forest management and how to this interest has clearly increased. been done successfully, although the apply these on peatlands. The reader This has further created a need for “Finnish perspective” is dominant, is also provided with profound scientific and practical knowledge, especially in the cases of forest information, e.g. why and how the which, unfortunately, has only limited management on drained peatlands. millions of hectares of peatlands availability in international languages. As much as about 60% of the 1000 have been drained in the Nordic The former comprehensive textbook references presented in the book countries and how forestry practices in this field was published in English originate from Finland. However, differ between them. already sometime ago (Paavilainen this cannot be regarded as any & Päivänen 1995). Thus, this new defect; since peatland forestry has The book familiarizes the reader book fills an evident gap in the been heavily studied in Finland, and with operational-scale forestry

Order now for 40 € including mailing costs: www.peatsociety.org/shop Book Review

practice, for example, how to grow the first post-drainage Scots pine The Encyclopedia of generation soundly, and what to do if one wants to maximize the wood yield or net inherent investment Agrophysics - some aspects of rate. Furthermore, the reader finds answers to questions like peat and peatlands how to carry out the ditch network maintenance reasonably, how to Encyclopedia of Agrophysics – edited by Glinski J., Horabik promote the water protection in J. & Lipiec J. Springler Verlag, Heidelberg, Germany, 2011. forestry and how to prevent forest ISBN 978-90-481-3584-4. damage caused by insects and fungi. Review: Ryszard Oleszczuk The versatile offering of the book will climax in the last chapter about other The Encyclopedia focuses on a uses/forms of peatlands starting very wide range of disciplines from mire conservation, berry picking related to agricultural activities. and recreation services to agricultural The book consists of 1028 pages, use, energy peat production, and 314 authors are involved in this finally, the restoration of mire book, giving some information ecosystems. In fact, the last chapter about peat and peatlands. Tadeusz is out of the title of the book and it J. Chmilewski (Department of would also do very well without this Landscape Ecology and Nature review. However, the chapter aids Conservation, University of to understand that forestry is only Live Sciences, Lublin, Poland) one of numerous alternatives for and Danuta Urban (Institute of mire and peatland utilization. Other Soil Science and Environmental alternative methods can be applied if Formation, University of Live forestry is to be given up on a certain Sciences, Lublin, Poland) present area for one reason or another. the chapter entitled: “Peatlands: environmental functions” (pages Suitable to many hands 548-551). They describe definitions and classifications of peatland There is a small variation in the based on several papers published Wojciech Szajdak (Department style of the text in different parts of in the literature. of Enviromental Chemistry, the book, but this does not badly Institute for Agricultural and Forest distract from the reading. Rather, the A large part of the chapter is Environment, Polish Academy book is easy and even enjoyable to dealing with ecological functions of Sciences, Poznań, Poland), read. Although the book is primarily of peatland areas in the natural Jan Szatyłowicz (Department of purposed for academic teaching, environmental: water retention, Environmental Improvement, the text is thoroughly handled and natural filters of pollutants, University of Life Sciences (SGGW), popularized so that using the book, reservoir of organic matter and Warsaw, Poland) and Raimo even laical English-speaking forest carbon, biological diversity and Kõlli (Department of Soil Science owners can carry out sound forestry the areas of many plants, animals and Agrochemistry, Institute of on peatlands. Thus, the book is and fungi. In the last part of this Agricultural and Environmental a significant achievement in the chapter the main threats and Sciences, Estonian University of Life dissemination and popularization of problems of peatland conservation Sciences, Tartu, Estonia). that large amount of scientific and are presented: regulations of practical knowledge produced mainly rivers and wet areas – drainage of The authors describe in the in Nordic languages to international wetlands, artificial afforestation introduction the processes, readers worldwide. and exploitation of peat deposits localization and classification for use in agriculture, horticulture, of peat soils in the world. The References balneology and for fuel. Finally they following physical properties of peat suggest to protect and prepare soils are presented: decomposition Paavilainen, E. & Päivänen, J. 1995. active conservation and restoration degree, ash content, peat bulk Peatland forestry - Ecology and of these areas. and particle density, porosity, principles. Ecological Studies 111: moisture retention, hydraulic 1-248. The next chapter dealing with peat conductivity and peat shrinkage. soil titled: “Peats and peatlands, The authors present two tables Sakari Sarkkola physical properties” (pages including selected basic physical University of Helsinki, Finland 551-555) is prepared by Lech properties for raised bogs and email: [email protected]

61 fen peats related to degree of of their own research data and other dealing with peat soils, members decomposition (von Post scale). publishers (32 present research of the International Peat Society, Finally the authors conclude papers). The information presented decision-makers in politics and that basic physical and water in these chapters is a valuable ecological foundations. properties strongly depend on source of knowledge for students the degree of decomposition, and all other people interested in Ryszard Oleszczuk and the presented physical peat and peatlands. The book is well Department of Environmental data shown the relativity large published, all tables and figures are Improvement University of Life Sciences (SGGW) Book Review variability. The authors of these very clear. I recommend this part Warsaw, Poland two chapters present the review of the Encyclopedia for researchers email: [email protected] Peat and peatland resources in Central and Eastern Europe Review: Juhani Päivänen and Björn Hånell Minayeva, T., Sirin, A. & Bragg, O. (eds.) 2009. A quick scan of peatlands in Central and Eastern Europe. Wetlands International, Wageningen, The Netherlands. 132 p. ISBN/EAN 978-90-5882-044-0.

Knowledge about mires, peatlands A detailed account on mires, used to be wide-ranging. Nowadays, and peat resources located in peatlands and peat in any greater a great deal of the sites previously the Russian Federation geographical area is demanding: drained especially for forestry have and in Central the concepts behind these been ineffectively managed and are and terms may differ from country consequently undergoing secondary Eastern to country, and accurate paludification. In the future, it remains Europe translation of the terms to be seen whether or not the has been from different languages to increasing consumption of bioenergy scanty and English is not easy. Even creates a more positive attitude scattered. the survey methods and towards the possibility to increase This is even compilation of statistics wood production with peatland more true for are not universally drainage. information on confined. The authors the utilization have however done The main aim of the book is to reveal degree of these their best to overcome the richness of peat resources, natural resources these imperfections their location, and how to use them for different and now there are figures responsibly. The target group for the purposes. When to be referred to when information is book is all those needing country-wise compiling our text book needed. The person in need has still information about peat and peatlands (Päivänen & Hånell 2012) we ran to consider the certain inaccuracy in this huge geographical region. It across this shortage. We were, that remains behind the figures. also gives strategic priorities for action however, lucky enough to find much on peatland management and advice of the information needed from the The report shows how peatland on how to meet these priorities. book reviewed here. In the proper coverage is heavily concentrated to places of our monograph we referred some of the countries concerned Reference to this publication but unfortunately – due to climate, topography and Päivänen, J. & Hånell, B. 2012. the correct bibliographic information hydrology. In Russia, if deep (>0.3 m) Peatland Ecology and Forestry – a had dropped out from the final list of and shallow-peated (<0.3 m) areas Sound Approach. University of references. We regret that! are combined, the peat-covered area Helsinki Department of Forest amounts to 370 million hectares or Sciences Publication 3. 267 p. The reviewed book is a result 20% of the land area. The relative of a project funded by the share of the peat-covered area in the Netherlands Ministry of Agriculture other countries that were studied is Juhani Päivänen Prof. emeritus, Department of Forest Sciences and implemented by Wetlands clearly smaller: Belarus 7.9%, Estonia University of Helsinki International. The vast and versatile 7.2%, Latvia 4.9%. For Lithuania, email: [email protected] material has been technically worked Georgia, Bulgaria and Armenia the out by Tatyana Minayeva and Andrey share is above 2%. In the countries Björn Hånell Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Sirin, whilst Olivia Bragg has been rich in mires, amelioration of Department of Forest Ecology and Management responsible for the language editing. peatlands for agriculture and forestry email: [email protected]

62 PEATLANDS International 2/2012 In memoriam: Leo Schipper (1949-2012)

Leo Schipper passed away on served as president 8 September 2012 and with of the RHP norm him we lost a friend and commission, respected colleague. on the RHP supervisory board, Leo is well-known in the world of and as organizer peat. For almost forty years peat of conferences in all its guises was his life. From like “Peat in the 1991 on as the director of Nevema, Stranglehold of a major Dutch firm in the peat Interest Groups”. business. With its roots dating back as far as 1918, Nevema became For 10 years, until a family business, branching into 2009, Leo was the Germany, Estonia and Ireland. With chairman of the 3 more than one million m of peat Dutch IPS National Photo: private products handled and exported to Committee, the more than twenty countries annually, Nederlands Veengenootschap, and we feel a sense of connection, we Leo can be proud to have shaped the “our man” in, among others, the IPS’s have lost more than a friend and a firm into what it is today. Annual Assemblies. colleague.

With genuine and firm believes, and The Dutch IPS is grateful for his We wish Barbara and their sons all clear points of view, he had an open national and international work, the strength they need now to go mind to other opinions. His character building a stable and well reputed through these difficult times. and willingness to share his profound Veengenootschap. This was knowledge made Leo welcome in recognized by awarding him honorary The Board of the Dutch many relevant organisations. He membership. In the Dutch peat world IPS National Committee

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63 Peat and peatland events

Related organisations National Ecological Networks Conference Edinburgh, UK, 6 - 7 February 2013 https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/shop/nen- conference-2013

Reed as a Renewable Resource (RRR), Greifswald, Germany, 14 - 16 February 2013. Executive Board Strategy Meeting www.rrr2013.de Amsterdam, 25 - 27 January 2013 International Conference on Climate Change and Local German Peat Society (DGMT): Wisdom: Living in Harmony within Our Built Environment Peat and Peatland Seminars and Excursions Makassar, Indonesia, 14 - 15 February 2013 Zeven, Germany, 19 - 20 April 2013 http://genius-loci-conference.com Bad Wurzach, Germany 7 - 8 June 2013 www.dgmtev.de World Sustainable Energy Days Wels, Austria, 27 February - 1 March 2013 German Peat Society (DGMT): Prospects for the www.wsed.at sustainable use of peatlands in Lower Saxony Schneverdingen, Germany, 12 - 13 June 2013 EGU General Assembly 2013 www.dgmtev.de Vienna, Austria, 7 - 12 April 2013 http://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU2013 IPS Annual Assembly and ISHS-IPS International Symposium on Growing Media and Soilless Cultivation Biohydrology Conference 2013. Bio meets Hydrology 17 - 21 June 2013 in Leiden, the Netherlands Landau/Pfalz, Germany, 21 - 24 May 2013 www.grosci2013.wur.nl www.biohydrology2013.de

Lithuanian Peat Association: Baltic Peat Producers’ Forum Society of Wetland Scientists Vilnius, Lithuania, 4 - 6 September 2013 Annual Meeting 2013 www.asocdurpes.lt/en Duluth, Minnesota, 2 - 6 June 2013 www.swsannualmeeting.org German Peat Society (DGMT): Annual Assembly Freising, Germany, 25 - 27 September 2013 4th AEBIOM Bioenergy Conference www.dgmtev.de Brussels, Belgium, 17 - 19 June 2013 www.aebiom.org/conference German Garden Industry Association (IVG): 48th German Peat Day 2nd International Conference - Energy & Meteorology Bad Zwischenahn, 24 October 2013 Weather and Climate for the Energy Industry www.ivg.org 25 - 28 June 2013, Toulouse, France www.icem2013.org Executive Board Meeting Tallinn, Estonia, 28 - 29 October 2013 32nd Congress of the International Society of Limnology (SIL) International Peat Technology Conference Budapest, Hungary, 4 - 9 August 2013 Riga, Latvia, 26 - 29 August, 2014 www.sil2013.hu

15th International Peat Congress “Peatland in Harmony - INTECOL 2013: Into the next 100 years Agriculture, Industry, Nature” London, United Kingdom, 18 - 23 August 2013 Kuching, Malaysia, 15 - 19 August 2016 www.intecol.org

Last minute updates and further War and Peat - The military heritage of moors, events can be seen at our website, heaths, bogs & fens www.peatsociety.prg/events and at Sheffield, UK, September 2013 www.facebook.com/peatsociety. www.tiny.cc/sfbyqw

A frequently updated list of IPS events and symposia of related organisations is posted at www.peatsociety.org. To inform us about future happenings of interest for IPS members, please contact [email protected].

64 PEATLANDS International 2/2012 innovators in coco production

With more than 20 years of expertise and experience, Dutch PlantinWith more is market than 20 leader years in of production expertise andof coco experience, products Dutch for potting soilPlantin producers. is market With leader over in 8 productionproduction ofsites coco in productsIndia, Africa for andpotting thesoil Netherlands,producers. With Dutch over Plantin 8 production is the largest sites in producer India, Africa of coco and productsthe Netherlands, for horticultural Dutch Plantin purpose is theworldwide. largest producer of coco We use only aged coir products for horticultural purpose worldwide. We use only aged coir Add maximum value to your potting soilAdd mixturesmaximum with value our to products your potting Itsoil is our mixtures specialism, and with your ourcustomers products will appreciate it It is our specialism, and your customers will appreciate it The entire process is 100% controlled, from sourcing and processing Theof the entire raw processmaterials is up 100% to sales controlled, and delivery from sourcingto the customer and processing for a great output 100%of the raworganic materials additive up to andsales very and uniformdelivery to the customer for a great output 100%Easy to organic mix homogeneously additive and with very your uniform potting soil ImprovingEasy to mix homogeneouslythe structure with your potting soil ImprovingBetter drainage the andstructure higher air porosity LowBetter volume drainage to and store higher air porosity LowThe blocks volume are to compressed store to transport bigger Thevolumes blocks and are thereby compressed there is to no transport packaging bigger needed. Lowvolumes EC levelsand thereby there is no packaging needed. At our Indian sites, we produce washed coir (IMO certifi ed) of unique and stable coco pith Low EC levels Atand our buffered Indian sites,quality we (RHP produce certifi washeded) coir (IMO certifi ed) of unique and stable coco pith Highand buffered output qualityper Mton (RHP certifi ed) HighDue to output special per sieving Mton and structure HighestDue to special stability sieving and structure HighestBy selected stability raw materials, treated in our own factories ReliableBy selected deliveries raw materials, treated in our own factories ReliableBy big volumes deliveries in stock, good agreements with the liners Growbags,By big volumes special in stock, double good layer agreements “Optima” with the liners and the right type of coco chips Growbags,Custom made special for vegetables, double layerfl owers “Optima” and softfruits growing and the right type of coco chips Custom made for vegetables, fl owers and softfruits growing

Call our sales team for more information: CallThe Netherlandsour sales team for more information: India [email protected] ThePhone: Netherlands 0031 - 492 32 42 91 IndiaPhone: 0091 - 4222 312 822 [email protected] Phone: 0031 - 492 32 42 91 Phone: 0091 - 4222 312 822 www.dutchplantin.com The Proven Safe and Effective Wetting Agent for all Substrates & Growing Media

FIBA-ZORB Liquid is a leading wetting agent developed by The benefits of FIBA-ZORB Liquid include: Turftech International that has been used internationally for over Total crop safety 15 years for treating peat based substrates and growing media • for both the professional and hobby markets. FIBA-ZORB has • Initial and repeated fast wetting-up of substrates undergone very extensive research and growing trials to prove • Improves drainage – highly suitable for capillary its safety and efficacy with respected organisations such as action and flooded benches (ebb and flood) the R.H.P. in Holland and the DEG Green Team in Denmark. It has Maximises the applied fertilisers and nutrients been proven that the commercial benefits far exceed the cost • of incorporating FIBA-ZORB into the growing media. • Very leach resistant – lasts over 1 year • Economic in use Liquid• Beneficial for ‘Dry Production’ techniques

FIBA-ZORB Granular displays all the properties of FIBA-ZORB Liquid plus: • Can be added with fertilisers and trace elements • Process does not add further water to already moist peat • Can be added at any temperature and used in sub-zero temperatures Can be used in fully automatic production facilities without the • FOR USE IN investment of cabilbrated spraying equipment RHP CERTIFIED Granular• Safe to handle SUBSTRATES

Revisit our website, now updated and in 6 languages with downloadable content: www.turftech.co.uk

For further information contact: Turftech International Limited 5 Cable Court, Pittman Way, Fulwood, Preston, Lancashire PR2 9YW, England

Tel +44 (0)1772 704433 Fax +44 (0)1772 704477 RAPID DELIVERY TIC, E-mail [email protected] THE UK, BAL FROM STO RAGE IN Website www.turftech.co.uk GERMANY & BELGIUM 4 68 PEATLANDSPEATLANDS International International 1/2009 2/2007