Green restoration of cutover peat areas after finished peat cutting
A frequent after-use alternative after finished peat cutting is afforestation. But in the field of nature conservation, there is a big interest in restoring the hydrology in cutover peat areas, converting them into new wetlands.
Professor Lars Lundin at SLU has studied, together with several colleagues*, the effects of the after-treatment in two cutover peat areas, where the hydrology has been restored. The studied sites are Västkärr and Porla peatlands in Örebro County.
The results show that it may be possible to recreate a wetland in a cutover peat area. Today there is a shallow bird lake at the Västkärr area, where you can find Typha (bulrush), Juncaceae (rush family), Cyperaceae (sedge) and Phragmites (common reed). Regarding water quality, the export of nutrients and metals is of the same magnitude as for similar shallow lakes and wetlands. The benthic fauna is species-poor and acidification-resistant. In the newly created Lake Porlan grow different species of Eriophorum (Cottongrasses), Carex (sedges), Drosera (sundew) and after a few years also sphagnum moss establishment is noticed.
The peat producer, in consultation with the land-owner, suggests an after-treatment plan to the county administrative board. The board approves or rejects the plan. They also inspect the site after finished after-treatment to approve success.
* Elve Lode, Torbjörn Nilsson, Monika Strömgren and Sabine Jordan also take part in the project.
Writer:
Ulla Ahlgren
Published:
2011-05-09
Facts about peat
Peat covers 25 per cent of Sweden´s land area. Peat is being harvested in 0.1 per cent of the total peat area (about 10 000 hectares). In the next few years, 5 000–7 000 hectares, are in question for after-treatment. Roughly, half of the harvested peat is used as soil improvement for horticultural uses and half of it is used for energy.