DEMO-SITE A
Finland
Peat extraction site in Sonkajärvi (FI)
Main crop
Downy birch
Other crops
RCG, Willow
Responsible Partner
Key information
Challenges
Peat extraction areas cover about 133 000 ha of peatlands in Finland (annual GHG emissions nearly 2M CO2 eq. tons). Their after-use options include afforestation, conventional agriculture, rewetting to wetlands, or wind and solar power production. Many peat extraction areas are waiting for productive land use options that also preserve the remaining peat and minimise GHG emissions.
Solutions
Demonstrating paludiculture as a viable method and the benefits for local communities. Growing birch (Downy birch Betula pubescens Ehrh.) tolerating moist growing conditions (such as short rotation forestry), willow species, reed canary grass and Typha latifolia on a rewetted site.
Outcomes
Scientific knowledge on carbon dynamics, hydrology, water emissions, performance of crop plants and responses to different moisture conditions, economic applicability of paludiculture. The newly established demonstration and study area of at least 50.5 ha provides practical experience and training for practitioners, and large-scale research on a little studied subject. For the first time, overall carbon balance estimate of paludiculture in northern conditions. A framework for innovative development of operational production chains and new ways of using raw materials. Increased carbon sequestration and preserved existing carbon storage. Cultivation provides raw material e.g. biochar production and growing media.
Replicability
Potential upscaling is realistic for cutaway peatlands and organic soils. Upscaling potential in other countries with former cutaway peatland areas (e.g. Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Ireland).
