Restoration of peat production areas in North Ostrobothnia and Kainuu 2024-2026
The Finnish Game Foundation has launched a project to restore disused peat production areas back to natural marsh and wetland habitats in North Ostrobothnia and Kainuu.
The use of peat as a fuel started in Finland already in the 19th century, and peatlands have been drained in Finland for a very long time, also for agricultural and forestry use. However, the drainage of peatlands has also led to a clear loss of peatland habitats and significant carbon dioxide emissions. According to some sources, the proportion of peatlands in their natural state is well under half of the total peatland area in the country, and in some places even much less.
The aim of the project is to restore areas that have been removed from peat production in five former peat production areas (Lamminneva in Pyhäntä, Kivisuo in Kajaani, Kotisuo and Isoahontaus in Pudasjärvi and Houru in Siikalatva) by re-watering the areas.
The areas will be watered to promote carbon sequestration, improve water quality in downstream watercourses and at the same time create wetlands that enhance biodiversity. The restored peatlands provide excellent breeding, nesting and resting habitats for many declining bird species and a large number of invertebrates.
Among the declining waterfowl species, restoration is expected to benefit in particular the egret, eider and wood goose, as well as a large number of waders (e.g. marsh warbler, lesser kestrel, waders).
The project has selected sites for restoration from both private landowners and companies. The landowners include forest funds such as S-Pankki Metsä, OP-Metsänomistaja and United Bankers’ UB Metsä funds, and Turveruukki Oy, which owns significant peat production areas in the North Ostrobothnia region.
The project is mainly financed by the European Union JTF funding distributed by the ELY Centre of North Ostrobothnia, while the Finnish Game Foundation is responsible for the self-financing part of the project.
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