The distribution of different types of Sphagnum peat: a comparison between different mires

Authors:
Tapio Toivonen, Onerva Valo and Samu Valpola

Book:
After Wise Use – The Future of Peatlands, Proceedings of the 13th International Peat Congress: Pristine Mire Landscapes

Venue:
Tullamore, Ireland

Keywords:
finland, horticultural-peat, peatlands, raised-bogs, sphagnum

Documentfile:
Toivonen 2008: The distribution of different types of Sphagnum peat

Summary:

Different types of poorly humified Sphagnum peat – Acutifolia (A), Palustria (P) and Cuspidata (Q) – can be
identified in field studies. These subtypes differ in quality and properties, and they can be used for different
purposes. In this study, three bogs from different parts of the raised bog area in Finland are presented with
maps and cross-section profiles. They show the gradual shift in the Sphagnum subtype composition towards the northern parts of the study area.