Research: The Key to Sustainable Management of Peatlands in Canada

Because of its incomparable properties, sphagnum peat moss is an important constituent of growing media. It is a natural resource formed by the accumulation of decomposed parts of Sphagnum mosses or other plants that grow in peatlands. Canada is a major producer and exporter of peat for horticultural uses.

The Canadian peat industry has funded major restoration research programs over the past 20 years, along with government agencies and academic institutions (e.g. the Peatland Ecology Research Group -  www.gret-perg.ulaval.ca ). The overall goal of peatland restoration is to re-establish self-regulatory mechanisms that will lead back to naturally functioning peat accumulating ecosystems. The restoration approach (the ‘moss-layer transfer technique’) developed through this extensive research program is based on two main actions: 1) active reintroduction of peat bog plant species, along with various techniques to improve micro-environmental conditions for plant establishment; and 2) rewetting through ditch blocking. Monitoring of restored sites shows that typical bog plants establishes within a few years following restoration and the organic matter accumulation returns to values comparable to those of natural systems. The hydrological conditions necessary for moss establishment are improved as the water table rises quickly after ditch blocking. Research also suggests that it takes between 10-20 years to return the annual carbon balance comparable to natural conditions.

 Other aspects related to the sustainable management of peatlands are also the subject of research, for example: techniques for improving water quality at effluent, cultivation of Sphagnum fibers on a renewable basis, improving knowledge about "off-site" GHG emissions, environmental and social life-cycle analysis of peat, etc.

The research outcomes have been incorporated into the policies and practices of the Canadian industry. For example, the industry is engaged with the Veriflora® Certification Standards and the Sector Specific Annex for Responsible Horticultural Peat Moss Production and Handling. The Certification is intended to identify and encourage responsible production practices and to stimulate continuing improvement in the industry. One requirement of this certification engages the producer to restore all “new” post-harvested areas. The industry is now working on its first Social Responsibility Report that highlights the actions taken by the sector toward responsible management and sets the stepping stones for the future.

The presentation will summarize the past and current research, as well as the industrial initiatives towards the responsible production and sustainable management of peatlands in Canada.