Authors:
Wright, N.A, Caporn, S.J.M, Hinde, S., Rosenburg, A., Buckler, M.
Book:
Proceedings of the 14th International Peat Congress
Venue:
Stockholm
Keywords:
sphagnum-propagation-beadamoss-restoration-in-vitro
Documentfile:
Wright et al 2012: Large Scale Production of Sphagnum Species for Bog Restoration
Summary:
Theme V. Restoration, rehabilitation and after-use of disturbed peatlands
SUMMARY
Re-establishment of Sphagnum species is key to returning degraded bogs to functioning ecosystems – often limited by availability of Sphagnum.
Successful bulk-up of small quantities of local origin material was achieved using in vitro propagation and found suitable for all species tested (currently 10).
A handling and distribution method was developed, encapsulating Sphagnum plantlets, a few millimetres in size, in a bead (termed ‘BeadaMoss™’) allowing easy separation and planting onto the bog surface with seeding machines, even by helicopter for large scale restoration.
In early trials, Sphagnum was successfully established in the moorland environment and results show survival rates of up to 69%. Restoring large areas of denuded bog, by seeding with BeadaMoss™, to functioning ecosystems is therefore within grasp.