Logistic regression models were developed to predict the condition of ditch networks in drained peatland sites in Finland. The data consisted of observations from two forest inventories in which the need for ditch network maintenance had been assessed in the field by classifying the condition of the ditches in the sample stands. In the analysis an indicator variable which referred to one of two condition categories (in need of repair not in need of repair) was used as the response variable. According to the results, the probability of being in the poor condition category was higher in sites where the time elapsed since drainage was longer, the geographic location was more northern, peat thickness was greater, and plot inclination was smaller. At a probability level of 0.5, the models predicted the category correctly in 69% of the sites in the modeling data, on average. The models were applied to a growth simulator to study the effect of poor drainage conditions on stand-level growth forecasts.
Key words: ditch network maintenance, forest drainage, logistic regression, site
Hannu Hökkä, Virpi Alenius & Hannu Salminen, Finnish Forest Research Institute, Rovaniemi Research Station, P.O. Box 16, FIN-96301 Rovaniemi, Finland (e-mail hannu.hokka@metla.fi, virpi.alenius@metla.fi, hannu.salminen@metla.fi)
The thermal conductivity of low-decomposed Sphagnum peat, used as a
growth medium for container seedling production in tree nurseries, and
of a sandy mineral soil was studied using the single thermal probe method
in the laboratory. The thermal conductivity of the peat was low and decreased
from 0.5 to 0.05 W m-1K-1 when the water content
decreased from near saturation to air-dry. In comparison, the thermal conductivity
of the sandy soil was much higher, decreasing steeply from 1.5 to 0.5 W
m-1K-1 with decreasing water content. Results are
in accordance with those reported earlier for similar media. The results
suggest markedly weaker and more delayed temperature fluctuations in pure
peat media compared with media containing mineral soil, which is in agreement
with observations made in tree nurseries.
Key words: peat substrate, sandy soil, thermal soil properties,
water content, water retention
Juha Heiskanen, Finnish Forest Research Institute, Juntintie 40.
FIN-77600 Suonenjoki, Finland. (e-mail
juha.heiskanen@metla.fi)
Yield potential and the effect of strict collection on the regeneration
of natural populations of Drosera rotundifolia were studied in Finland
during 1993-1999. Flowering plants were collected in July from 37 sample
plots 1 m2 in size. Plant number, height of flowering plants,
fresh weight as well as 7-methyljuglone, quercetin and kaempferol contents
were determined. The average plant density was 45-56 plants m-2,
and the average fresh weight was 6.3-6.7 g m-2 in the first
and second years of collection. Regular and strict collection decreased
significantly the population density. The average plant number in the third
and seventh years ranged between 21 and 29 plants m-2. The collected
fresh weight decreased respectively from 6.7g m-2 to 2.7g m-2.
At the end of the vegetation periods the number of new seedlings averaged
188 m-2 on the observation plots, implying that the population
may easily regenerate from the seed bank stock of the peat. According to
the results of these experiments, the 4H organization elaborated a new,
environmentally friendly collection programme for young collectors. The
collectors were obliged to leave 5-10 flowering plants to spread seed and
to assure natural regeneration of sundew populations.
Key words: Drosera rotundifolia, collection, yield, environmentally
sustainable collection method, regeneration
Bertalan Galambosi, Ecological Production, Resource Management,
Agricultural Research Centre of Finland, FIN-50600 Mikkeli, Finland.
(e-mail bertalan.galambosi@mtt.fi)
Cultivation experiments on D. rotundifolia and D. anglica were
carried out in peat beds in Mikkeli, South Finland (61°44 N, 27°18
E) in 1992-1997. Plants were propagated by direct sowing and transplanting
of small seedlings in peat beds (size 3 m2, depth 0.7 m) filled
with non-fertilized peat (pH 4.0). Seed germination, growth, flowering
cycle as well as fresh herb and seed yields were measured. To increase
the growth, plants were regularly fed milk powder. The 7-methyljuglone,
quercetin and kaempferol contents of the flowers, leaves and stems were
determined from sown and transplanted, fed and non-fed Drosera plants.
Both Drosera species were successfully cultivated in peat beds.
Direct sowing in autumn followed by natural winter stratification seemed
to be the best propagation method. Flowering started after the second and
third growing years. Feeding the plants milk powder increased growth by
27-113%. The fresh yield during the third, fourth and fifth years ranged
between 0.05 and 0.9 kg m-2, being highest in the first and
second harvest years. Plant density decides the yield of small-sized species.
The average yield was about 50 times higher in peat beds than in the nature.
Feeding milk powder did not affect the secondary metabolite contents. The
7-methyljuglone content was 13-81% higher in the fed Drosera rotundifolia
plants
than in the non-fed ones. The quercetin and kaempferol contents were lower
in the fed plant, 10-30% and 1-10% lower in D. rotundifolia
and
30-60% and 1-15% lower in D. anglica, respectively. According to
the results, it seems to be possible to grow Drosera rotundifolia
and D. anglica under controlled conditions outside the natural ecosystem.
The results also suggest that higher yields can be expected by cultivation
of these species.
Key words: Drosera rotundifolia, Drosera anglica, peat,
cultivation methods, regular feeding, yield, 7-methyljuglone
Bertalan Galambosi, Zsuzsanna Galambosi, Ecological Production,
Resource Management, Agricultural Research Centre of Finland, FIN-50600
Mikkeli, Finland. (e-mail
bertalan.galambosi@mtt.fi
)
Summary: The habitats of particular significance referred to in the forest act
10 § include following mire site types: herb-rich spruce swamp woods,
eutrophic fens (south of the Province of Lapland) and scrubland and wasteland
sparsely treed mires. Lounais-Suomi forestry centre has invented those
habitats of particular significance 1997-99. This matter was also studied
by the 9th National Forestry Inventory (1998).
The detailed directions concerning mire site types of habitats of the
forest act are performed by quide Meriluoto & Soininen (1998). Also
Lounais-Suomi forestry centre has observed mainly this quide.
There is however a problem with some site types for ex. herb-rich sedge
hardwood-spruce fens and herb-rich sedge birch-pine fens of scrubland and
wasteland, which are not classified for habitats of the forest act. Because
they are rare and there is no clear legal obstacle, those mire site types
are also classified habitats of the forest act by Lounais-Suomi forestry
centre.
Only 25 % of the mires are in Southwest Finland are in virgin state
and about 15 % of these mires are located in nature preserve areas. The
inventory result of the forestry centre states, that there are 863 hectacres
of mire habitats of particular significance referred to in the forest act
in Southwest Finland mires, which is only 1.4 % of virgin mires outside
nature preserve areas. NFI 9 found three times more habitats of the forest
act than the inventory of the forestry centre, because NFI 9 cannot take
into account territorial frequency of habitats and demand of small size
of objective. However the distribution of mire site types is similar in
both inventories.
The inventory result of Lounais-Suomi forestry centre proves that there
is a relatively small number of herb-rich level mire site types. Especially
herb-rich sedge hardwood-spruce fen (RhSK) is very rare. It is important
to classify all herb-rich level mires (taking into account the restrictions
of the forest act) for habitats of the forest act in the future and also
in natural state which is not wholly perfect. Nutrient-poor bogs are mainly
consisted of virgin mire site types. They are often large mire complexes
and in that sense not suitable habitats of the forest act. In this inventory
nutrient-poor bogs represent one fourth of the total number. In the future
it is sensible to choose only the most representative nutrient-poor bogs
for habitats of the forest act.
Timo Silver & Sirke Kajava, Lounais-Suomen metsäkeskus (Lounais-Suomi
Forestry Centre), Kuralankatu 2, FIN-20540 Turku, Finland
(e-mail timo.silver@metsakeskus.fi)
Peat soils are a complex organic composition where chemical, physical
and biological processes are continually occuring and changing the soil
properties. The processes greatly determine the usability of peat soils,
and the environmental effects of peat soil management. The processes can
be affected naturally or induced by human activity. Mechanical disturbance
from agriculture, forestry, and peat harvesting and regulation of soil
moisture, nutritional status and vegetation are principal factors affecting
processes in peat soils. Chemical, physical and biological prosesses in
peat soils are a fascinating field of study due to their multiple context
and complex interactions with management practices.
Current knowledge on chemical, physical and biological processes of
peat soils was discussed at a scientific symposium in Jokioinen, Finland
on August 2327, 1999. The symposium was held under the auspices of the
International Peat Society in cooperation with the Finnish Peatland Society,
and the Agricultural Research Centre of Finland, which also hosted the
symposium.
Four topics were discussed during the symposium: The indoor presentations were held in two and a half days, while two
one-day field trips were held in the middle and at the end of the symposium.
Altogether 64 participants from 20 countries attended the symposium, and
presented 30 oral papers and 23 posters. We believe that the aim of the
symposium to increase the understanding of the processes and their interactions
in peat soils, and consequently, to promote the sustainable use of peat
soils was attained.
These proceedings are a collection of selected papers, which were submitted
after the symposium. Fifteen papers were accepted for publication. The
abstracts of all presentations are available at the Secretariat of the
International Peat Society (ips@peatsociety.fi).
On behalf of the organisers, we wish to thank all those who participated
in the symposium, and especially those who offered a paper for these proceedings.
We also wish to thank several institutions which supported the symposium
financially. In this context, the support of the Ministry of Trade and
Industry, Finland for publishing the proceedings is greatly acknowledged.
Merja Myllys, Chairman of the organising committee
The state of the environment is currently evaluated by indicators of
air and water quality. Sustainable land use requires an assessement of
soil quality. Soil quality indicators should relate soil processes to management
practices. The supply of N and P contributes to crop productivity, but
can degrade air and water quality. In this paper, we will present organic
soil N and P attributes that can make up soil functions. Nitrate was the
only detected mineral N form in organic soil materials with pH (0.01M CaCl2
) exceeding 4.4. Lowest C/N ratio of cultivated sapric soil materials was
15, showing high nitrate-supplying capability. Total P concentration was
between 760 and 1960 mg P kg1 both in organic and inorganic
forms when pH (0.01M CaCl2 ) increased above 4.7, the recommended
minimum pH value for cultivated organic soils. Lowest C/P ratio as organic
forms was 340 for sapric materials containing less than 22% ash, indicating
organic P sequestration capability (C/P > 300). However, the low N/P ratio
of 23 (i.e. 340/15) also indicated capability for organic P availability
to plants. Since N and P are related to organic matter transformations,
the C/N/P/S multiratios of selected organic matter fractions, analyzed
as compositional data (computation procedure presented), need further consideration
as integrated N and P attributes in combination with pH and climatic indexes,
in order to adapt N and P diagnosis and recommendation models to specific
organic soil agroecological zones.
Key words: Soil quality indicators, nitrification, phosphorus
fractionation, pH, C/N/P/ S ratio
Léon E. Parent, Alain A. Viau and François Anctil,
Centre de Recherche en Géomatique, Laval University, Ste-Foy (Quebec),
Canada G1K 7P4 (e-mail leon-etienne.
parent@sga.ulaval.ca)
A natural property of mires is their ability to accumulate carbon and
nutrients in the form of peat.Drainage and agricultural land use have changed
the nutrient balance from accumulation to mobilisation.In this study, the
effect of land use and hydrology on nitrogen dynamics is quantified using
a GIS-based dynamic modelling approach.In the simulation, the nitrogen budget
is controlled by drainage depth, land use type and fertilizer application.Denitrification
is, next to harvest, the quantitatively most impor tant output pathway from
peat soils with a predominant vertical water flow.Only for the wet Caricion
elatae type was a net nitrogen accumulation simulated.The spatial visualisation
of the nitrogen balance shows a high variability based on the heterogene
ity of the peatland.Rewetting and extensivication can reduce the deficit
in the nitrogen balance and lead to a slight increase of the accumulating
area.These simulation results can be used in environmental planning to
define a more sustainable land use in the future.
Key words:restoration, peatland, modelling, nitrogen, denitrification
Michael Trepel, Ecology Centre, University of Kiel, Schauenburger
Straße 112, D-24118 Kiel, Federal Republic of Germany (e-mail michael@ecology.uni-kiel.de)
Three Greek soil profiles originating mostly from lacustrine deposits
in the district of Filippoi (Northern Greece), were studied. These soils
have been formed both from organic and inorganic materials that were deposited
by precipitation and developed through the action of aquatic organisms.
According to Soil Taxonomy (1992), they are classified as Histosols and
belong to the suborder of Saprists. The pH of the soil horizons ranged
among soil horizons from 6.2 to 7.8. The total soil nitrogen content ranged
between 7.5 and 17.0 g kg1 and the soil organic matter was
between 108.7 and 206.4 g kg1 . Calcium carbonate was detected
into ten horizons and ranged between 1.4 and 27.8%, whilst it was not found
in five of the examined soil layers. This is suggested to reflect the presence
or absence of aquatic organisms, the shells of which contain CaCO3
and enrich soil by means of weathering. Heavy metals extracted by 4 M HNO3
were in the following order Fe>Mn>Zn>Pb>Ni>Cu>Cd, and their average concentrations
were 7190, 294, 72.3, 58.2, 33.3, 17.3 and 5.1 µg g1
, respectively. The distribution of trace elements greatly differs amongst
the examined samples and the range of the pseudototal form of Fe was 187318550
µg g1 , of Mn 54.7585, of Cu 4.540, of Zn 22.0185,
of Pb 20.5143, of Ni 1564.7 and Cd 3.36.9 µg g1 .
The sequentially extracted by Na2 -EDTA, HNO3 and
NaOH were found to be the prevailing metal forms. Iron deficiency symptoms
have been observed in certain crops, and manganese deficiency was also
detected in some maize crops cultivated in slightly alkaline soils. Furthermore,
the plant available boron concentration was determined, as deficiency symptoms
were observed in some districts cultivated with sugar beets. The distribution
was generally not influenced by soil properties, although a weak relationship
between organic carbon and boron was found. Measures such as rational water
management, tillage practices, and fertilization could be applied towards
minimization of soil degradation, micronutrient disorders and optimization
of crop productivity.
Key words: heavy metals, boron, histosols, sequential extraction,
soil subsidence
Dr. Theodore Karyotis (PhD, MSc.) and Athanasios Haroulis, National
Agricultural Research Foundation, Institute for Soil Mapping and Classification,
1 Theophrastou Str., 41335 Larissa, Greece (e-mail
karyotis@hellasnet.gr.)
The aim of this work was to determine physical properties of organic
soils developed in different sites of the mountain area of Stolowe Mountains
National Park, Poland. The profiles with different botanical composition
of peat were analysed and classified by types and species of peat. Peat,
muck and peat-mud were identified (9 profiles) at chosen locations. Investigation
showed that top plateau organic soils were developed on a sandy-loam or
sand weathered sandstone base. Organic soils in valleys and slopes were
developed on a loamy-silt or clay basement. Peat horizons developed according
to different types of sites (mesotrophic and eutrophic, sometimes oligotrophic).
Generally, these soils are ombrotrophic, i.e. fed by atmospheric water
only. These soils were classified as Fibric Histosols and Terric Histosols.
Organic soils within the main regions of the park were over-desiccated,
with advancing muck-forming processes being noted.
Key words: Stolowe Mountains, organic soils, peat deposit, physical
properties, muck process.
Adam Bogacz, Institute of Soil Science and Agricultural Environment
Protection, Agricultural University of Wroc aw 50-357 Wroc aw, ul. Grunwaldzka
53, Poland (e-mail adam@ozi.ar.wroc.pl)
A 800 ha area of drained peatlands in the Hautes-Fagnes (Belgium) was
surveyed by means of a ground-penetrating radar and a global positioning
system.The survey pro vided very accurate information about the subsurface
relief and the thickness and extent of the peat deposit, as well as stratigraphical
information and suggestions of possible links between subsurface, hydrology
and present vegetation.
Key words: ground-penetrating radar, Hautes-Fagnes, raised bogs
Cécile Wastiaux, René Schumacker & Maurice Streel,
Université de Liège, Station scientifique des Hautes-Fagnes,
rue de Botrange, 137, B-4950 Robertville, Belgium (e-mails c.wastiaux@ulg.ac.be;
rschumacker@ulg.ac.be; maurice.streel@ulg.ac.be)
Peat hydraulic conductivity, shear strength, plant composition and
runoff at seven peat harvesting sites in Central Finland were measured.
A large variation in hydraulic conductivity (108106
m s1 ), peat shear strength (302413 kPa), and peak runoff
(97898 l s1 km2 ) was observed between different
harvesting sites. The hydraulic conductivity showed a clear correlation
with peat shear strength (r = 0.89), which has not been previously observed.
The correlation between hydraulic conductivity and degree of humification
was weak (r = 0.60). Soil lowering decreased the hydraulic conductivity
and the peat shear strength. These reductions, with reduced drainage depths,
increased peak flow and changed runoff generation patterns by increasing
the possibility of Horton and saturation excess overland flow.
Key words: runoff generation, hydrological pathways, drainage,
peatlands, hydraulic conductivity, shear strength, soil loss, subsidence,
peak runoff.
Bjørn Kløve, Jordforsk, Norwegian Centre for Soil
and Environmental Research, 1432 Ås, Norway (e-mail bjorn.klove@jordforsk.no)
The effect of tree stand thinning and ditch network maintenance on
the water table level was studied in an uneven-aged Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris
L.) stand growing on a drained dwarf shrub pine bog in southern Finland.
The water table level was monitored once a week during the growing seasons
(MaySeptember) of 19911999. This time span is divided into the following
treatment periods: calibration (19911992), thinning (19931994), ditch
cleaning (1995), and proper ditch network maintenance (19961999). The
growing season of 1995 was not included in the calculations because the
ditch cleaning treatment failed. The layout included three thinning intensities
(9.5, 15.0, and 28.1% removal of the initial stand volume) and an unthinned
control. For the ditch maintenance treatment there was an additional control
sample plot. The effect of the treatments on the water table level was
evaluated both by a graphical approach and linear regression analysis.
Only a slight, ecologically insignificant rise in the water table level
was caused by the thinning cuttings. Ditch maintenance seemed to eliminate
this change. It was concluded that in the planning stage, a careful evaluation
of the real need of maintaining the ditch network (ditch cleaning or complementary
ditching) should be done in connection with the first commercial thinning
in order to avoid unnecessary costs.
Key words: Ditch cleaning, complementary ditching, forest drainage,
hydrology, peatland, tree harvesting
Juhani Päivänen & Sakari Sarkkola, Department of Forest
Ecology, Box 24, FIN-00014 Helsinki University, Finland (e-mail juhani.paivanen@helsinki.fi,
sakari.sarkkola@helsinki.fi)
The paper presents the results of laboratory-and field-measured soil
moisture retention characteristics for different layers in peat-moorsh
soil developed from a fen.Field de termination was based on the measurements
of the moisture content and pressure head values performed on undisturbed
soil columns during a drying process.Laboratory measurements were performed
with sand table and pressure chambers.In order to ob tain moisture retention
characteristics related to actual volumetric moisture content, the shrinkage
characteristics were measured for different soil layers.The comparison
of the laboratory and field measured moisture retention characteristics
showed that the results of field measurements were very close to those
of laboratory measurements, expressed in terms of fictitious volumetric
moisture content.This expression of water content based on initial soil
volume provides a better estimation of differential water capacity.
Key words: moisture retention characteristic, shrinkage, fen peat
Ryszard Oleszczuk, Jan Szaty owicz, Tomasz Brandyk & Tomasz
Gnatowski, Department of Environmental Development and Land Improvement,
Warsaw Agricultural University, ul. Nowoursynowska 166, 02-787 Warsaw,
Poland (e-mail oleszczuk@alpha.sggw.waw.pl)
The liquid-soil contact angle indicates the wettability of a solid. This
study was con ducted to determine the apparent water-solid contact angle
in peat-moorsh soils located in the Biebrza River Valley using two indirect
methods.One of them was the height of the capillary rise at the equilibrium, and
the other was a dynamic capillary rise ap proach.The measured values of
the contact angle ranged from 64.2 to 83.1 degrees using the equilibrium
height of capillary rise approach, whereas for the dynamic capil lary rise
method varied from 86.3 to 89.8 degrees.Comparison of the experimental
results showed that the values of contact angles obtained using the dynamic
capillary rise approach were about 12% higher than the values obtained
from the capillary rise equation.The determined value of the apparent contact
angle was affected by the gravi metric moisture content and bulk density.The
contact angle values measured in peat- moorsh soils confirm that these
soils exhibit some degree of hydrophobicity (water repellency)at all water
contents and packed densities.
Key words: water repellency, apparent contact angle, capillary
rise
Edyta Waniek, Jan Szaty owicz & Tomasz Brandyk, Department of
Environmental Development and Land Improvement, Warsaw Agricultural University,
ul. Nowoursynowska 166, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland (e-mail waniek@alpha.sggw.waw.pl)
A mechanistic simulation model of organic matter accumulation for a
developing fen/ raised bog complex in Ireland is presented.Parameter/variable
values have been prima rily drawn from the published literature.The development
of the theoretical considera tions of fen peat as a substratum to a raised
bog is evaluated using the model.Terrestri alization is the pathway of
hydroseral succession.The conceptual model treats peat growth as the accumulation
of a series of parcels comprising both a labile and a non- labile component.The
fen phase of the model uses a discrete description of organic matter accumulation
while the raised bog phase uses a continuous description.Both phases use
a constant decay rate.The model integrates changes in net primary produc
tivity and aerobic decay to simulate four climatic periods.The model generates
outputs for peat depth and mass with time and profiles of bulk density
with depth.Results over a simulated period of 10 000 years demonstrate
how changes in surface net primary productivity and aerobic decay can change
the rate of peat accumulation in the develop ing fen/raised bog complex.Sensitivity
analysis showed that the most important pa rameters influencing simulated
depth and mass were the labile fraction in organic mat ter (raised bog)followed
by net primary productivity (raised bog).The potential sig nificance of
underlying fen peat as a proportion of the total depth and mass of a devel
oping fen/raised bog complex was evaluated and shown to be substantially
diminished after 5 000 years.It was established that the model predictions
corresponded well with data for Irish Midland bogs and given suitable adjustment
of values, could potentially simulate Fennoscandian conditions as well.
Key words: Climate, mires, peat, peatlands, Sphagnum productivity
A. J. Gilmer, N. M. Holden, S. M. Ward & A. Brereton, Department
of Agricultural & Food Engineering (Peat Technology Centre), University
College Dublin, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, Ireland E. P. Farrell, Department
of Environmental Resource Management, University College Dublin, Belfield,
Dublin 4, Ireland (e-mail agilmer@eircom.net)
Soils store more carbon (C) than does vegetation and in Northern Ireland
peat has been estimated to account for about 42% of the soil C store. This
estimate, however, was based on incomplete field evidence, including uncertainty
on peat depths and peat bulk density. This paper aims to show how the estimate
might be improved, taking into account bulk density and carbon density
measurement. Trial 3-D models are presented to estimate total C content
of individual bogs. Results suggest that C stores in northern Irish lowland
raised bogs are lower than previously estimated primarily because of low
bulk densities which showed no consistent increase with peat depth. Bulk
density varied within and between bog profiles on the same bog and between
bogs leading to different estimates of C stores. The research indicates
a need for more precise modelling of bogs based on stratigraphy and dating
of layers and a need for standardised measurement of peat bulk density
and carbon storage. The findings, particularly if they apply to the extensive
blanket bog, affect local and national totals of soil C stores and have
implications for national policies on increasing/preserving C stores.
Key words: peat bulk density, peat carbon density, peat carbon
stores
Roy W. Tomlinson and Laoise Davidson, School of Geography, The Queens
University of Belfast, BT7 1NN, Northern Ireland (e-mail l.davidson@qub.ac.uk
The gaseous plant hormone and air pollutant ethylene (C2H4)
has a strong effect on plant physiological processes, such as ripening and
senescence, and its removal is often required from contaminated air.This
study tested the efficiency of indigenous microor ganisms in horticultural
peat-soil to purify C2H4 contaminated air under biofilter
condi tions.Peat-soil, acclimated to C2H4 removal, was
placed in a biofilter (687 cm3) and subjected to an air flow
(73 mL min1 ) with ~117 ppm C2H4 (ppm, parts
per million; equivalent to µL L1 ).C2H4
was removed to a lowest level of 0.034 ppm after operation of the biofilter
for 12 days at 26°C. This corresponded to a C2H4
removal efficiency of >99.9%and a specific C2H4 removal
rate of 6.4 µg C2H4 g1 dry wt soil
h1 (wt, weight). However, this efficient C2H4
removal was only transient (4 days), and during day 16 to 21, the C2H4
removal efficiency decreased to 51%. In contrast to this result, it was
previously found that, under comparable biofilter conditions, cultivated
ethylene-oxidizing bacteria were able to survive and efficiently
remove C2H4 for at least 75 days. Thus, prolonged
and efficient purification of highly C2H4 contaminated
air by horticultural peat-soil under biofilter conditions apparently depended
on bacterial inoculation.
Key words: Bacteria, biofilter, ethylene, microbiology, soil
Lars Elsgaard, Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Department
of Crop Physiology and Soil Science, Research Centre Foulum, P.O. Box 50,
DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark (e-mail lars.elsgaard@agrsci.dk)
An inventory of wetlands in Poland was completed in 1994 and it opened
the possibility of starting a planned supplementation of the reserve network
on wetland.For this pur pose, it is necessary to carry out an evaluation
of the existing objects.The studies include 52 existing and 72 planned
nature reserves on wetland in the middle-west part of Poland (area of 33
600 km2 ).An original evaluation method uses seven criteria,
which are evaluated in a three degree scale each.On this basis three classes
(highest, medium, lowest value)were assigned.Only a small number of existing
reserves are found in the extreme classes.In the highest class, there are
only six nature reserves.In the lowest class there are small objects with
little differentiated forest communities and high endangerment by degradation.A
definite majority of the existing reserves are found on fens.Raised and
transitional bogs are represented by a comparatively great number of small
objects not exceeding 15 ha.The representativeness of the existing reserves
in relation to the plant communities encountered on the wetland of this
region is not the best one.
Key words: evaluation, nature reserve, Poland, wetland
Piotr Ilnicki, Agricultural University Pozna , Department of Environmental
Protection and Management, ul. D browskiego 159, 60-594 Poznan, Poland
(e-mail ilnickip@au.poznan.pl)
Wetlands play a special role in diverting plant materials towards fossilisation.
These habitats are sinks for the atmospheric carbon: mineralisation of
organic materials is inhibited by specific effects of the local N and S
cycles, anaerobiosis, low pH, etc. It is not surprising therefore that
microbial activity was detected to be highest in the rhizosphere of wetland
plants. Cattail (Typha angustifolia L.) withstands extremely low soil redox
values. Cattail root samples were collected in a floating mat at the Soroksár
Arm of the River Danube. The root-tip regions were used for bacteriological
studies. Using the plate-count technique an average of 3.3*104 CFU/g actinomycete
rhizoplane count was detected. All actinomycete colonies were isolated,
purified, and strains subjected to differential diagnostic analysis (phenotypical
and chemotaxonomical tests). The dominant rhizoplane actinomycetes were:
Streptomyces anulatus, and Str. albidoflavus, Micromonospora chalcea and
M. carbonacea, Micrococcus luteus, Brevibacterium sp. and Gordona sp. Streptomycetes
were characteristic for autumn sample, whereas the other actinomycetes
dominated the rhizoplane microbiota early in the vegetation period. The
ecological tolerance abilities of the members of dominant groups indicate
that these bacteria might be active in the rhizosphere and can be present
there in their vegetative forms.
Key words: actinomycete, cattail, Hungary, rhizoplane, streptomycetes,
wetland.
Hala M. Rifaat, Károly Márialigeti and Gábor
Kovács, Department of Microbiology, Eötvös Loránd
University, Múzeum krt. 4/a., 1088 Budapest, Hungary (e-mail hala@falco.elte.hu)
The mycorrhizal infection of the roots of four-year-old Scots pine
seedlings was stud ied by analysing root ergosterol, endogenous polyamines, nitrogen, phosphorus
and potassium concentrations after two years in the field.The seedlings
had been planted in a 25-year-old pine plantation on an originally treeless
mire representing a wide peat nitrogen gradient.Common mycorrhizal types
with Scots pine, such as Cenococcum Piloderma and Boletaceae types, and a
number of unidentified types were found in the roots.The roots contained
quite normal or a little lower levels of ergosterol than re ported elsewhere
on tree roots in mineral soil forests.After two growing seasons in the
field a positive correlation (r =0.584**)was found between the root ergosterol
and peat nitrogen concentrations.The root ergosterol and spermidine concentrations
correlated positively.This may be due to a more abundant physical presence
of the fungal tissue which contains more spermidine than the other polyamines, or
it may be due to a posi tive effect of the mycorrhizal fungi on the metabolic
activity of the roots.
Key words: Ectomycorrhiza, ergosterol, peat nitrogen, Pinus sylvestris
polyamines
Tytti Sarjala & Seppo Kaunisto, Finnish Forest Research Institute,
Parkano Research Station, Kaironiementie 54, FIN-39700 Parkano, Finland
(e-mail tytti.sarjala@metla.fi,
seppo.kaunisto@metla.fi)
WE THANK THE FOLLOWING INSTITUTIONS AND ORGANISATIONS FOR THE SUPPORT
OF THE SYMPOSIUM CHEMICAL, PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL PROCESSES IN PEAT
SOILS:
Agricultural Research Centre of Finland
Both minerotrophic (fens and transitional mires) and ombrotrophic (raised
bogs) mires occur in Latvia. Distribution of mires and diversity of mire
vegetation are determined by geology of area, origin of mires and climatic
differences between coastal and continental parts of Latvia. Fens started
to develop in the early Holocene in the Preboreal 10 000 years BP. Later,
during the Atlantic many fens transformed into transitional mires and gradually
into raised bogs. Today Latvian mires are represented by all these types
and they cover 4.9% of the country. Mires are protected in the North Vidzeme
Biosphere Reserve, National Parks (Slitere, Kemeri and Gauja), Strict Nature
Reserves (Teici, Krustkalni and Grini), Nature parks and 140 nature reserves,
as well as in protected landscape areas.
Key words: Mire development, raised bogs, fens
Mara Pakalne, Department of Botany and Ecology, University of Latvia,
Kronvalda Boulevard. 4, LV-1586, Riga, Latvia. (e-mail mara@lanet.lv)
Laimdota Kalnina, Faculty of Geographical and Earth Sciences, University
of Latvia, Alberta 10, LV- 1010, Riga, Latvia
The occurrence of raw humus layer and its relationship to the structure
of the vegetation and the environmental variables were studied on 501 sample
plots located systematically in drained peatland forests. The drainage
had been done in the 1930s 60s. The correlation between the amount of
raw humus and the two-dimensional GNMDS (global nonmetric multidimensional
scaling) ordination space was 0.57. The thickness of the raw humus layer
increased in the direction of the drainage succession gradient. The correlations
between the thickness of the raw humus and the measured environmental variables
were weak. The strongest correlation was with the stand volume (0.31) and
the drainage age (0.21). Weakness of these correlations was most probably
due to the regressive succession on many plots. On average, the raw humus
layer was thickest , 6.5 cm, in Vaccinium vitis-idaea transformed type
I (developed from genuine forested mires) and 5.4 cm in type II (developed
from treeless or composite types). In Vaccinium myrtillus types the corresponding
mean thickness was 5.2 cm (I) and 3.2 cm (II) and in dwarf-shrub types
3.3 cm (I) and 4.6 cm (II). The secondary succession is slower and the
amount of the needle litter (of Pinus sylvestris) smaller in the dwarf-shrub
type than in the V. vitis-idaea type. In the V. myrtillus type the origin
of the litter is more dominated by deciduous trees, the decomposition faster
and the coverage of Pleurozium schreberi clearly smaller than in the nutrient-poorer
types. P. schreberi tolerates the litterfall well and together with especially
conifer litter, and maybe with slow decaying fine roots, too, it forms
a loose raw humus layer on old drained peatlands. Being a poor germination
bed, the raw humus makes successful stand regeneration difficult.
Key words: drainage, litter, ordination, secondary succession
Markku Saarinen, The Finnish Forest Research Institute, Parkano
Research Station, Kaironiementie 54, FIN-39700 Parkano, Finland (e-mail
markku.saarinen@metla.fi)
Summary: Organized by The International Peat Society (IPS), The International
Asociation of Ecologists (INTECOL ), The International Mire Conservation
Group (IMCG), and The Society of Wetland Scientists (SWS), The Millennium
Wetland Event held in Québec City, Canada, on 612 August 2000 was
the biggest ever organized congress devoted to mires and peat. Almost 1900
delegates (with accompanying persons almost 2100 participants) from 75
countries all over the world guaranteed that the programme and sessions
were versatile and informative. The 12th IPS congress Wise use of peatlands
will be organised in Tampere, Finland, between 6th and 11th August 2004
and that is why the Finnish candidate (Markku Mäkelä from Geological
Survey of Finland) was elected as the first vice-president of IPS. Gerry
Hood from Canada was elected as the president of IPS and Jack Rieley from
Nottingham, UK, as the second vice-president for the next four years. In
this review some Finnish specialists write about the themes they followed
in Québec (Harri Vasander general, Raimo Heikkilä and Leila
Korpela mire conservation and biodiversity of peatlands, Markku Mäkilä
peat geology, Sanna Saarnio gas exchange studies, Juhani Päivänen
and Sakari Sarkkola ecology and management of forested peatlands, Arvo
Leinonen and Pirkko Vesterinen peat technology, Olli Reinikainen horticulture,
Juhani Päivänen wise use of peatlands, Lasse Aro restoration
of peatlands and the post-congress excursion). The Millennium Wetland Event
was considered to be a unique opportunity to visit, meet collegues and
to update knowledge about mire and peat science. A great thank you for
all the organisers of this magnificant occasion.
Un grand merçi pour tous les organisateurs du congrès:
"Évènement du millénaire sur les terres humides".
Cétait une occasion inoubliable et un excellent début pour
le nouveau millénaire.
Harri Vasander, Department of Forest Ecology, P.O. Box 24, FIN-00014
University of Helsinki, Finland (e-mail harri.vasander@helsinki.fi)
Heiskanen, J.: Thermal conductivity of low-decomposed
Sphagnum peat used as growth medium. (Tiivistelmä: Kasvualustana käytetyn
heikosti maatuneen rahkataturpeen lämmönjohtavuus). Suo 51(1): 11-14.
No. 2
Galambosi, B., Takkunen, N., and Repcák,
M.: The effect of regular collection of Drosera rotundifolia in natural
peatlands in Finland: plant density, yield and regeneration (Tiivistelmä:
Säännöllisen keruun vaikutus pyöreälehtikihokin
satoon ja kasvuston uusiutumiseen). Suo 51(2): 37-46.
Niilo Takkunen, The Finnish 4H Federation, Oulu District, FIN-90120,
Oulu, Finland.
Miroslav Repcák, University of P. J. Safarik, Dept. of Experimental
Botany & Genetics, 04167 Kosice, Slovakia, e-mail Repcak@Kosice.upjs.sk
Galambosi, B., Galambosi, Z. and Repcák,
M.: Growth, yield and secondary metabolite production of Drosera
species cultivated in peat beds in Finland (Tiivistelmä: Eri viljelymenetelmien
ja ruokinnan vaikutus turvepenkeissä kasvatettujen kihokkien kasvuun
ja vaikuttavien aineiden tuotokseen). Suo 51(2): 47-57.
Miroslav Repcák, University of P. J. Safarik, Dept. of Experimental
Botany & Genetics, 04167 Kosice, Slovakia, e-mail Repcak@Kosice.upjs.sk
Silver, T. & Kajava, S.: Mires concerning
the forest act in Southwest Finland. Suo 51(2): 59-57.
No. 3
Preface of the Proceedings of the International Peat Symposium on
Chemical, Physical and Biological Processes in Peat Soils. Jokioinen, Finland, 23-27
August 1999. Suo 51(3): 70.
1. peat soil formation, development and degradation,
2. water related processes in peat soils,
3. interactions between peat soils and the atmosphere, and
4. living organisms in peat soils.
Harri Vasander, Chairman of the Finnish Peatland Society
Léon E. Parent, Alain A. Viau and François Anctil:
Nitrogen and phosphorus fractions as indicators of organic soil
quality. Suo 51(3): 71-81.
Michael Trepel, Torbjörn Davidsson and Sven-Erik
Jørgensen: Quantitative simulation of biochemical processes in peatlands as
a tool to define sustainable use. Suo 51(3): 83-93.
Torbjörn Davidsson, Department of Limnology, Ecology Building, University
of Lund, S-223 62 Lund, Sweden
Sven-Erik Jørgensen, Royal Danish
School of Pharmacy, Section of Environmental Chemistry, Universitetsparken
2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
Theodore Karyotis, Athanasios Haroulis, Evagelia Vavoulidou and
Pericles Papadopoulos: Soil properties and distribution of heavy metals and boron within
three Greek Histosols. Suo 51(3): 95-104.
Evagelia Vavoulidou and Pericles Papadopoulos, Soil Science Institute of
Athens, National Agricultural Research Foundation, Soil Science Institute
of Athens 1, Sof. Venizelou Str., 14123 Lykovryssi, Attiki, Greece
Adam Bogacz: Physical properties of organic soil in Sto owe Mountains National
Park (Poland). Suo 51(3): 105-113.
Cécile Wastiaux, Lucien Halleux, René Schumacker, Maurice
Streel and Jean-Michel Jacqmotte: Development of the Hautes-Fagnes peat bogs (Belgium): new perspectives
using ground-penetrating radar. Suo 51(3): 115-120.
Lucien Halleux, G-Tec
S.A., Place de la Gare, 37, B-4900 Spa, Belgium (e-mail gtec@arcadis.be)
Jean-Michel Jacqmotte, Ministère de la Région Wallonne, D.G.R.N.E.,
Avenue Prince de Liège 15, B-5100 Jambes, Belgium (e-mail jm.jacqmotte@mrw.wallonie.be)
Bjørn Kløve: Effect of peat harvesting
on peat hydraulic properties and runoff generation. Suo 51(3): 121-129.
Juhani Päivänen and Sakari Sarkkola: The effect of thinning and ditch network maintenance on the water
table level in a Scots pine stand on peat soil. Suo 51(3): 131-138.
Ryszard Oleszczuk, Jan Szatylowicz, Tomasz Brandyk and Tomasz Gnatowski:
An analysis of the influence of shrinkage on water retention characteristics
of fen peat-moorsh soil. Suo 51(3): 139-147.
Edyta Waniek, Jan Szatylowicz and Tomasz Brandyk: Determination of soil-water contact angles in peat- moorsh soils
by capillary rise experiments. Suo 51(3): 149-154.
Alan J.Gilmer, Nicholas M.Holden, Shane M.Ward, Anthony Brereton and
Edward P.Farrell: A model of organic matter accumulation in a developing fen/raised
bog complex. Suo 51(3): 155-167.
Roy W. Tomlinson and Laoise Davidson: Estimates of carbon stores in four Northern Irish lowland raised
bogs. Suo 51(3): 169-179.
Lars Elsgaard: Use of peat-soil for biological purification of ethylene contaminated
air. Suo 51(3): 181-187.
Piotr Ilnicki: Evaluation of nature reserves on wetland in the middle- west part
of Poland. Suo 51(3): 189-196.
Hala M. Rifaat, Károly Márialigeti and Gábor
Kovács: Investigation on rhizoplane actinomycete communities of cattail
(Typha angustifolia) from a Hungarian wetland. Suo 51(3): 197-203.
Tytti Sarjala and Seppo Kaunisto: Ectomycorrhizae in Scots pine seedlings at different trophic levels
of a drained mire. A preliminary study. Suo 51(3): 205-211.
Acknowledgements. Suo 51(3): 212.
Finnish Forest Research Institute
Finnish Society of Peat Cultivation
Forest and Park Service
Forssan Seudun Osuuspankki
Geological Survey of Finland
Ministry of Trade and Industry, Finland
The Municipality of Jokioinen
University of Helsinki, Department of Forest Ecology
UPM-Kymmene Forest
Turveruukki Oy
Vapo Oy
No. 4
Mara Pakalne & Laimdota Kalnina:
Mires in Latvia (Tiivistelmä: Latvian suot). Suo 51(4): 213-226.
Markku Saarinen & Juha-Pekka Hotanen. Raakahumuksen ja kasvillisuuden yhteisvaihtelu Pohjois-Hämeen
vanhoilla ojitusalueilla (Summary: Covariation between raw humus layer
and vegetation on peatlands drained for forestry in western Finland). Suo 51(4): 227-242.
Juha-Pekka Hotanen, The Finnish Forest Research Institute, Joensuu
Research Station, P.O. Box 68, FIN-80101 Joensuu, Finland
Harri Vasander (ed.): Millennium Wetland Event - The biggest ever organized congress of
mires and peat in Québec. Suo 51(4): 243-270.