Finnish peatlands are under a bigger pressure from land use than has generally been realised.
More than half of the peatland area has been drained, and most of the remaining undrained peatlands are bordered by drained areas.
A study by the University of Eastern Finland and the Finnish Environment Institute investigated the current status of undrained peatlands. The research is part of the SHIFTMIRE project funded by the Academy of Finland, led by docent Teemu Tahvanainen from the University of Eastern Finland.
The discharge of water from the catchment area to the peatland is an important part of peatland hydrology. According to the results, 85 percent of the undrained peatland area is at least partly bordered by drained areas. The drainage of the margins of a peatland can cut off water flow from the catchment and cause major changes in vegetation and ecosystem.
Hydrological disturbances are most common in the middle boreal zone, with high abundance of peatlands and peatland use.
Continue reading at University of Eastern Finland
Image via University of Eastern Finland
