Ecological Restoration: A Pillar of Responsible Peatland Management
The Canadian Peat industry is actively applying ecological restoration techniques to restore the functions of post-extraction peatlands, with a particular emphasis on the return of biodiversity, hydrology, and carbon sequestration.
Why Does This Matter?
Restoring peatlands after extraction is essential to reestablish their role as carbon sinks within one to two decades, capturing and storing atmospheric carbon through sequestration [27,30].
Healthy peatlands provide essential ecosystem services, including water filtration, flood regulation, and habitat provision, all of which are crucial for the health of both the environment and local communities.
The Moss Layer Transfer Technique
The main objective of peatland restoration after horticultural Peat extraction is to re-establish self-regulatory mechanisms that will lead back to a naturally functioning ecosystem, including its ability to accumulate Peat.
The Moss Layer Transfer Technique (MLTT) restoration technique was developed through an extensive research program. It is based on two actions:
- the rewetting of the site, which is achieved by blocking the drainage ditches that were dug to allow for the extraction of Peat;
- the reintroduction of peatland plants on the surface of the site, combined with various techniques to improve conditions for plant establishment (e.g. straw mulch)
These plants are collected from a donor site. The donor plant material is chopped and transferred onto the surface to restore, in a 1:10 ratio (1 m² of donor material restores 10 m² of peatland area).
The different steps of the MLTT, including how to plan the restoration work, the surface preparation, the donor site management, vegetation collection, how to spread vegetation, fertilize and protect the plants, as well as the best ways to control water levels, have been described in the Peatland Restoration Guide.
Watch the video below for more information on how peatlands are restored using the MLTT:
Peatland Restoration Guide
The first restoration guide was published in 1997 by the PERG. A second, much larger edition was published in 2003; to this day, this latest edition remains an indispensable resource.
- Peatland Restoration Guide (Quinty and Rochefort, 2003)
In 2019 and 2020, the entire chapter dealing with the restoration method (Chapter 3) was revised and republished in independent booklets. They are grouped into four themes:
- Planning Restoration Projects (replaces pp. 13 to 24 in the 2003 Guide)
- Site Preparation and Rewetting (replaces pp. 25 to 35 and pp. 60 to 62 in the 2003 Guide)
- Plan Material Collecting and Donor Site Management (replaces pp. 36 to 45 in the 2003 Guide)
- Spreading Plant Material, Mulch and Fertilizer (replaces pp. 46 to 59 in the 2003 Guide)
Please note that hard copies are available on request.
Restoration in Action at Bois-des-Bel, QC Peatland
The first ecosystem-level project to restore a peatland after Peat extraction was a collaborative effort between PERG and the Canadian Peat industry. This project took place at the Bois-des-Bel site in Québec, Canada, covering 11 hectares of peatland that was left unrestored after Peat extraction—something no longer allowed under today’s regulations, which now require producers to restore peatlands after extraction.
Since the restoration was planned in 1999 and still today, the Bois-des-Bel site serves as an important research station where scientists study peatland ecology, hydrology, greenhouse gas emissions, and restoration science. It has gained recognition in the international peatland and wetland science community as a valuable resource for advancing our understanding of these ecosystems and their restoration.
What the Scientific Research Shows
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How quickly does vegetation return after restoration?
Once restoration method is applied, a plant cover composed of typical bog species, dominated by Sphagnum mosses, establishes within 3 to 5 years. [9, 15, 16, 31, 34]
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Do restored peatlands resist wildfires?
Yes! 10 years post-restoration, Sphagnum-dominated plant communities have proven resilience to wildfires. [2]
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Can donor sites be reused after moss extraction?
Absolutely. The moss layer at donor sites recovers within 10 years, allowing for multiple uses over time. [18]
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How effective is the Moss Layer Transfer Technique on plant biodiversity recovery?
This technique has proven to successfully transfer 82% of vascular plants species and 69% of the moss species present in the donor plant material onto the restored sites. These success rates are among the highest reported in scientific papers for restoration projects using plant or soil transfer methods. [5,18]
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Does peatland restoration support wildlife?
Yes, peatland restoration supports wildlife. Within 3 to 5 years of restoration using the Moss Layer Transfer Technique (MLTT), typical peatland plant communities begin to re-establish, creating the foundation for the return of animal, insect, and bird species found in undisturbed peatlands. Additionally, restoration projects that incorporate ponds further enhance biodiversity by creating a variety of microhabitats. [12]
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What about bird populations?
Peatland restoration supports the return of native bird species. 20 years post-restoration, Palm Warbler communities are similar to the ones found in pristine peatlands. [10]
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Do restored peatlands help with carbon sequestration?
Yes! One to two decades following restoration, the annual carbon balance of a restored bog returns to values comparable to a natural environment. This means peatlands quickly become carbon sinks ecosystems once restored. [28,29]
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Why is quick restoration after peat extraction important?
Restoring sites as soon as possible after Peat extraction has become an industry best practice to limit greenhouse gas emissions and support ecosystem recovery. [28]
