Peatlands in Finland 1996

Editor: Harri Vasander

Helsinki 1996

Copyright by Finnish Peatland Society

ISBN 952-90-7971-0

CONTENTS

Preface

Finnish peatlands in a nutshell

Peatlands – a significant element in Finnish nature

Ecology and vegetation gradients of peatlands — Jukka Laine and Harri Vasander

The natural history of mires in Finland and the rate of peat accumulation — Atte Korhola and Kimmo Tolonen

The morphological features of the Finnish peatlands — Heikki Seppä

Peatlands – a valuable ecological resource in Finland

Peatlands and peat resources in Finland — Eino Lappalainen

Peatland berries – a valuable nourishing resource — Kauko Salo

Protecting the diversity of Finnish mires — Kaisu Aapala, Raimo Heikkilä and Tapio Lindholm

Peatlands and peat in Finnish national economy

Historical review of the utilization of peatlands in Finland — Eino Lappalainen

Agriculture on peatlands — Merja Myllys

Forestry on peatlands — Juhani Päivänen and Eero Paavilainen

A quarter century of efficient peat development — Raimo Sopo and Aimo Aalto

The use of peat in horticulture and agriculture — Olli Reinikainen

Microbes of peat and their use in plant disease control — Risto Tahvonen

Environmental use of peat — Kari Mutka

Peat production technology — Pertti Frilander, Arvo Leinonen and Eija Alakangas

Energy use of peat — Dan Asplund

Chemical conversion — Leena Fagernäs

Peat balneology — Riitta Korhonen

Peat textiles — Marjatta Pirtola

Options of managing harvested peatlands

Many uses for peatland cut-away areas — Pirkko Selin

Forestry use of cut-away peatlands — Seppo Kaunisto and Lasse Aro

Agricultural use of cut-away peatlands — Perttu Virkajärvi and Harri Huhta

Converting cut-away peatlands for game management purposes — Pentti Vikberg

Restoration of peatlands after peat harvesting — Harri Vasander and Hedwig Roderfeld

Environmental aspects of peatland utilization

Releases to watercourses from peat harvesting and their control — Pirkko Selin

Emissions of peat combustion and their control — Raili Vesterinen

Forest drainage and the greenhouse effect — Jukka Laine and Kari Minkkinen

List of contributors