Authors:
Raimo Pajula, Mati Ilomets, Kairi Sepp and Laimdota Truus
Book:
Proceedings of the 14th International Peat Congress
Venue:
Stockholm
Keywords:
conservation-value, drainage, estonia, mire, peatland-forest
Documentfile:
Pajula et al 2012: Status and Conservation Value of Peatland Forests in Estonia
Summary:
Theme I. Inventory, stratigraphy and conservation of mires and peatlands
SUMMARY
In 2007-2009 some 400 peatland forest sites were studied outside nature protection areas aimed to distinguish natural mire forests valuable by their state. Most of natural peatland forests are lost thorough extensive melioration in 20th century and only a small fraction (ca 10-15 %) of previously widely distributed mire forests are still on favorable conditions today. Larger portion of “well-looking” mire forests have secondary origin developed from open mires influenced by weak or moderate drainage. Previous pristine mire forests have degraded and transformed mostly to drained peatland forests.