Sustainable use of Estonian peat resources and environmental challenges

1. Sustainable use of Estonian peat resources and environmental challenges Mall Orru The Geological Survey of Estonia

2. Background • Peatlands cover 22.3% of Estonian territory (1 009 100 ha) • ~60% of peatlands are formed as paludification of mineral soils and ~40% as lake paludification • Total number of the peatlands is 9836; 85% of them are small (1-10 ha) • Average thickness of peat layer is 3-4 m

3. Background • Peatlands cover 22,3% of Estonian territory (1 009 100 ha) • 60% of peatlands are formed as paludification of mineral soils and 40% as lake paludification • Total number of the peatlands is 9836, 85% of them are small (1-10 ha) • Average thickness of peat layer is 3-4 m

4. Investigation of Estonian peatlands • Work started in 1967 in the Geological Survey of Estonia (EGK) • All mires with area >1 ha were investigated and mapped (1:10 000, 1:25 000) • Thickness of peat layer, peat type, ash content, pH, moisture, hydrological, and geological condition were studied • ~70 000 samples were analysed in laboratory

5. Environmental register, list of deposits • Started in 1996 in EGK, recently hold by Estonian Land Board • List of deposits consists 279 peat deposits • Area of peat deposits is ~260 000 ha, which contains 26% of total peatlands area and 8% of Estonian territory • List of deposits is complemented constantly

6. Peat resources Active proved reserves 0.22 billion tonnes Active probable reserves 0.82 billion tonnes In list of peat deposits 1.60 billion tons (16% light humified, 84% well humified) Total resources 2.37 billion tons Passive reserves 0.56 billion tonnes

7. Peat extraction • It is extracted from 77 deposits • Production fields area is 20 550 ha • Peat is mainly used for horticulture and fuel • Peat production ranges from 0.9-1.5 million tons

8. According to the Sustainable Development Act – the extraction can not exceed 2.6 million tons per year

9. Mire protection • Mire protection area 161 575 ha • With Natura 2000 protected areas 211 421 ha • 72% of them are raised bogs • 22% of Estonian mires are under protection

10. Alternative use of peat • Environmental technological solutions • Like sorbents, wastewater treatment etc. • Peat balneology • Research has been carried out by EGK • Clinical experiments in progress

11. Abandoned peat production areas • 154 abandoned peat production areas in Estonia with area 8500 ha • Peat reserves not totally exhausted yet there • High CO2 emission due peat humification • Peat mineralises in such areas

12. Revision of abandoned peat production areas • Carried out by EGK since 2005 • At the end of 2007 the revision will be completed in 12 counties • Study questions: • remained peat resources; • state of water regime; • drainage network; • revegetation etc.

13. Põlliku peatland

14. Põlliku peatland 2

15. Imsi peatland

16. Hõreda peatland

17. Rabivere peatland

18. Viru peatland

19. Hara peatland

20. Hara peatland 2

21. As the results of the study … • To provide information for decisionmakers weather re-establish mire, turn into wetland, reforest, plant with berries or make a body of water • The above-described problem is topical in the other countries as well • In 2008, XIII International peat Congress “After Wise Use – the Future of Peatlands” will be organised by the International Peat Society in Tullamore, Ireland

22. Plantation of berries • Plantation of cranberries and blueberries in abandoned peatlands • Studies carried out by Estonian University of Life Sciences

23. Conclusions • Continue and develop sustainable use of peat resources and peatlands • Find alternative usage for peat • Better co-operation between scientists, decisionmakers, peatproducers etc. • Make the linking of borders of peat deposits, protection areas, and peat production available • Improve scientific studies of abandoned peat areas • multidisciplinary analyses – geologist, ecologist, botanist, hydrologist

24. Thank you for your attention! Contact: orru@egk.ee