From a source of emissions to a water purifier – why are peat production areas being restored as wetlands?
12.3.2025 →
JTF Project site
Restoration of peat production areas in Northern Ostrobothnia and Kainuu 2024–2026 – POPKA
Peat began to be used as fuel in Finland as early as the 19th century, and peatlands have been drained for a long time for agricultural and forestry use. However, the drainage of peatlands has led to a clear reduction in wetland habitats and significant carbon dioxide emissions. According to some sources, the proportion of natural mires is well below half of the total mire area in Finland, and in some places even significantly less.
POPKA-project rewets the production sites
The European Union co-funded project “Restoration of peat production areas in Northern Ostrobothnia and Kainuu 2024-2026” (POPKA) will restore peat production areas that have been taken out of production on five farms in Northern Ostrobothnia and Kainuu. (Lamminneva in Pyhäntä, Kivisuo in Kajaani, Kotisuo and Isoahontaus in Pudasjärvi, and Houru in Siikalatva) by re-watering the areas.
The project timeline is 1.6.2024-31.12.2026
Restoration promotes many objectives
The areas are drained to promote carbon sequestration, improve the water quality of the waterways below, and create wetlands that enhance biodiversity. Restored peat production areas provide excellent breeding and nesting habitats and resting areas for many declining bird species and large numbers of invertebrates. The restoration of these areas will take advantage of the natural elevation differences created by peat production by raising the edge embankments and installing dam structures. Damming will achieve significantly better cost-effectiveness than restoration by dredging, for example.
Why is restoration important? Watch our video here!
Do you know of any former peat production areas that could be suitable for our purposes?
Latest blogs and articles on this topic
Declining waterfowl and waders in focus
Restoration is expected to benefit declining waterbird species in particular, such as the common snipe, the wigeon, and the wood sandpiper, as well as a large number of waders (including the ruff, the wood sandpiper, and the snipe). Although many bird species are the most visible beneficiaries of restoration, restored areas also serve as important habitats for many invertebrate species. Mires and wetlands are home to many dragonfly and butterfly species.
Landowners
The landowners involved in the project include Finland’s largest forest funds, Turveruukki Oy in Oulu, and numerous private landowners. The landowners are committed to maintaining the area in its restored state for at least 10 years after the completion of the project. Waterfowl counting points will be set up in the areas, and efforts will also be made to ensure effective small game hunting in the areas to support the survival of bird broods. Waterbird counting points will be set up in the areas, and efforts will also be made to ensure effective small game hunting to support the survival of bird broods. In addition to landowners, hunting clubs are also important stakeholders for us!
In cooperation:
Monitoring and assessment of the environmental impacts of peatland restoration – ENARI
Funding:
Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment
Peat production areas to be converted to new land uses (ELY)
Restoration and after-use of former peat production areas in the JTF program (video)
JTF funding for the restoration and after-use of peat production areas (video)
Want to know more?
You can find the project locations at the bottom of the page.
More information:
Project Manager Antti Saarenmaa
p. 0503012647
asiamies@riistasaatio.fi
