wise use of mires and peatlands - Peatland Ecology Research Group
wise use of mires and peatlands - Peatland Ecology Research Group
wise use of mires and peatlands - Peatland Ecology Research Group
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VALUES AND FUCTIONS OF MIRES AND PEATLANDS69drainage is dependent on the fertility <strong>of</strong> thesite, the volume <strong>of</strong> the tree st<strong>and</strong> capable <strong>of</strong>response at the time <strong>of</strong> draining, thegeographical location <strong>of</strong> the site, <strong>and</strong> the price<strong>of</strong> wood. In general, drainage becomes morepr<strong>of</strong>itable with increasing site fertility, with alarger volume <strong>of</strong> original tree st<strong>and</strong>, <strong>and</strong> (inthe Northern Hemisphere) the further souththe site is located. On over 1 million hectares<strong>of</strong> the drained area in Russia, the drainagecanals no longer function beca<strong>use</strong> <strong>of</strong> neglect,the activities <strong>of</strong> beavers, or infrastructure(such as roads <strong>and</strong> pipelines) which disruptdrainage. As a result this l<strong>and</strong> is currently repaludifying149 .An attempt has also been made to estimatethe pr<strong>of</strong>itability <strong>of</strong> forest drainage bycalculating the inputs (all cost factors) <strong>and</strong>outputs (the increase in volume <strong>of</strong> wood cutmultiplied by the price <strong>of</strong> wood). On this basisthe internal rate <strong>of</strong> return on Finnish forestdrainage activity would lie somewhat above5% 150 . Canadian calculations show thatdrainage <strong>of</strong> an existing st<strong>and</strong> is economical ifit can reduce the rotation age by 30 years ormore 151 . Forest drainage has been shown tobe pr<strong>of</strong>itable only if directed towardsappropriate sites. This man-made disturbancein the peatl<strong>and</strong> ecosystem has to bemaintained if it is wished to maintainincreased levels <strong>of</strong> wood production on thesite.Based on figures for Finl<strong>and</strong>, some 20% <strong>of</strong>wood harvested on peatl<strong>and</strong>s is <strong>use</strong>d forfurniture <strong>and</strong> construction, the remainder asraw material for pulp <strong>and</strong> paper mills. A verysmall proportion goes to energy wood 152 .km 2Finl<strong>and</strong> 59,000Russia 38,000Sweden 14,100Norway 4,200Estonia 4,600Latvia 5,000Lithuania 5,900Belarus 2,800Pol<strong>and</strong> 1,200Germany 1,100United Kingdom 6,000Irel<strong>and</strong> 2,100P.R. <strong>of</strong> China 700USA 4,000Canada 250Total 148,950Table 3/13 Estimates <strong>of</strong> terrestrial wetl<strong>and</strong>s(incl. peatl<strong>and</strong>s) drained for forestry 1533.4.2 Carrier functionsThe carrier functions <strong>of</strong> <strong>mires</strong> <strong>and</strong> peatl<strong>and</strong>sinclude all those functions for which theyprovide space <strong>and</strong>/or a suitable substrate.Beca<strong>use</strong> they lie in basins <strong>and</strong> are veryextensive many <strong>mires</strong> <strong>and</strong> peatl<strong>and</strong>s providesuitable locations, or bases, for waterreservoirs <strong>and</strong> pisciculture. Their location<strong>and</strong> size <strong>and</strong> the fact that they are largelyuninhabited can make them suitable forestablishing towns, roads <strong>and</strong> harbours; assites for waste disposal; <strong>and</strong> for militaryexercises.(f) Water reservoirs (for recreation, hydroelectricity,drinking water) 154Reservoirs created for the production <strong>of</strong>hydro-electric power now cover extensive
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