Restoration of low-productive drained peatlands - with well targeted site selection and good practises towards
safeguarding of soil carbon storage and improved functional biodiversity 

Projects related to the National Forest Strategy of Finland -page
Projects related to the Climate Plan for the Land Use Sector -page 
Precision forestry projects in the Recovery and Resilience Plan of Finland -page 

Participants

University of Eastern Finland (UEF), Geological Survey of Finland (GTK), Natural Resources Institute (LUKE), University of Helsinki (HY)

Project description

Duration: 2022-2024

This development and training project, focusing on the restoration of nutrient poor, low-productive peatland forests, develops criteria for successful site selection and brings together good practices for successful restoration. Successful site selection and good practices will be passed on to current and future practitioners responsible for planning operations and carrying out restoration work. This will be implemented as workshops, supported by digital mobile material, restoration demonstrations and self-contained demonstration sites in different parts of Finland. In addition, a guided video and podcast series will be produced, which are targeted and communicated separately to restoration planners and machine operators, as well as for the use of forest education in forestry machinery schools and the universities of Eastern Finland and Helsinki.

The project focuses on nutrient poor, low productive peatland forests with known moderate methane emissions and low timber yields. The success of restoration is defined as a slowdown in peat decomposition, recovery of the soil carbon sink, and an increase in functional diversity.

The site selection criteria is formed mainly based on the existing gas exchange data and
vegetation data. Those are supplemented by collecting new data on functional diversity and peat
properties. Good practices are defined by gathering the experiences of restoration practitioners
through interviews and by visiting restoration sites carried out by the interviewees.

Additional information
Professor Eeva-Stiina Tuittila p. +358 50 442 4299, eeva-stiina.tuittila@uef.fi

Additional information on the project site of the Geological Survey of Finland (in Finnish)