Peatland Threats
Peatlands in Canada as well as the rest of the world as used/altered by humans for a variety of different reasons, in a variety of different ways. These exploitations and land-use alterations provide many economic functions which will be explained below.
Peat Extraction
The peat itself from peatlands can be extracted through peat mining with the product being put to a few different uses.
In Canada and the United States, the most common use for peat is for horticultural reasons. This is due the specific physical and chemical properties of the peat that make it an excellent soil conditioner whether it is used on its own, or blended with other materials. The structure of the peat provides an excellent water holding capacity, while still allowing enough oxygen to get to plant roots. A low bulk density means it is light and easy to handle, process and transport to garden centres for sales. Its high acidity translates to a low pH that can be easily changed into any desired amount. Similarity, it’s low in nutrients so they may be added to attain any necessary amount or combination a species of plant might prefer.
This horticultural peat industry took off in response to the explosion in popularity of amateur gardens that came in the post-war era of the early 20th century.
Peat has also been extracted as a form of fuel for fires for the last 2,000 years, beginning in mainland Europe. This practice was brought over to the New World with the early settlers. The use of peat as a fuel for fires has been declining over the last century; however it is still used in Northern Britain as well as Ireland. Despite this decline, peat is still used a fuel for the generation of energy in many European and Norwegian countries. This translates into 71 million metres cubed of extracted peat being used for energy production!
Peat mining combined with the burning of peat presents interesting consequences for peatland’s role in the global carbon cycle in terms of both the damages peatlands, as well as the carbon emission through combustion.
Peat is also extracted for other more minor industries. These include “peat baths” that are used for therapeutic reasons. This interesting practice is known as balneology. It involves a mixture of peat water that is then heated. The patient will then immerse themselves in the mixture for approximately 20 minutes to help heal aliments such as rheumatism, gynaecological disorders and other medical issues. Another minor use for extracted peat is the filtration of water. There has been some research into this use that can help treat waste water sewage, oil spills and heavy metal contamination. Finally, the Sphagnum moss presents another minor industry revolving around peatland extraction. This type of moss grows on the surface of peatlands and is an important plant species in the ecosystem. The Sphagnum moss provides a good material for lining plant containers and is sometimes used for decorative purposes.
In Canada and the United States, the most common use for peat is for horticultural reasons. This is due the specific physical and chemical properties of the peat that make it an excellent soil conditioner whether it is used on its own, or blended with other materials. The structure of the peat provides an excellent water holding capacity, while still allowing enough oxygen to get to plant roots. A low bulk density means it is light and easy to handle, process and transport to garden centres for sales. Its high acidity translates to a low pH that can be easily changed into any desired amount. Similarity, it’s low in nutrients so they may be added to attain any necessary amount or combination a species of plant might prefer.
This horticultural peat industry took off in response to the explosion in popularity of amateur gardens that came in the post-war era of the early 20th century.
Peat has also been extracted as a form of fuel for fires for the last 2,000 years, beginning in mainland Europe. This practice was brought over to the New World with the early settlers. The use of peat as a fuel for fires has been declining over the last century; however it is still used in Northern Britain as well as Ireland. Despite this decline, peat is still used a fuel for the generation of energy in many European and Norwegian countries. This translates into 71 million metres cubed of extracted peat being used for energy production!
Peat mining combined with the burning of peat presents interesting consequences for peatland’s role in the global carbon cycle in terms of both the damages peatlands, as well as the carbon emission through combustion.
Peat is also extracted for other more minor industries. These include “peat baths” that are used for therapeutic reasons. This interesting practice is known as balneology. It involves a mixture of peat water that is then heated. The patient will then immerse themselves in the mixture for approximately 20 minutes to help heal aliments such as rheumatism, gynaecological disorders and other medical issues. Another minor use for extracted peat is the filtration of water. There has been some research into this use that can help treat waste water sewage, oil spills and heavy metal contamination. Finally, the Sphagnum moss presents another minor industry revolving around peatland extraction. This type of moss grows on the surface of peatlands and is an important plant species in the ecosystem. The Sphagnum moss provides a good material for lining plant containers and is sometimes used for decorative purposes.
Agriculture and Forestry Land Reclamation
In Canada and most of North America the most significant caused of peatland destruction is for extraction, specifically for horticultural use. However, other peatland exploitations exist, they are more common in other countries. One of these other exploitations involves the conversion of peatlands to areas suitable for agricultural or forestry. Peatlands, like most wetlands, have been historically viewed as waste-lands that provide to value to humans and this conversion takes place to improve the economic potential of these areas by being able to grow crops or trees.
Recreational Uses
_ Peatlands are generally not
overly popular areas for recreational activity when contrasted with
other types of natural and semi-natural areas, as for example, mountains
and beaches. It is sometimes said that the most frequent human peatland
visitors are the scientists that study them. Peatlands can become a
draw as they are sometimes the last areas seen as true wilderness in a
landscape. Their wildlife can attract visitor through hunting and other
activities. However, it appears that even moderate trampling from
visitors can adversely affect the peatland ecosystem. Particularly in
Manitoba, the placement of transmission lines has lead to impacts from
the cutting of trees, vehicle traffic, and herbicide use. The impacts
themselves were damage to vegetation in terms of cover. The amount of
bare peat was increased from loss of moss and herbicide targeted plants.
ENVR 4000 Sustainable Water Management 2012