ALFAwetlands Living Lab in Estonia, run by University of Tartu, consists of four sites, namely: Vända, Laiuse, Ess-soo and Kuresoo. Below you will find more details about the history and current restoration activities at the Laiuse and Ess-soo.
The history of peat extraction mining
Wetlands, particularly peatlands, demand our special attention. ALFAwetlands addresses the restoration of wetlands for the future, for our future. Nevertheless, this means we need to know the past, understand the present, estimate actions, and predict the impact in the future. For instance, peat extraction mining has a long history in Estonia. This further means that, after mining has ended, the area is usually getting ‘managed’. At the Estonian sites of Laiuse and Ess-soo restoration management is accompanied and monitored practically from the beginning of the restoration works.
Initially, the Laiuse bog site was a natural wooded mire. More specifically, it was an ombrotrophic mire with (I) additional, limited inflow of cation-rich (sub-)surface water and (II) groundwater influx from surrounding higher elevated drumlins, supporting the tree growth. The area is important as a wildlife habitat at the landscape level in this otherwise agricultural-dominated landscape.
The peat extraction started manually on a small scale in the 1930s. Milled peat production in the area began in the 1960s and was abandoned at the end of 1980-ies. The remaining peat deposit depth is 1.5-3 meters.
Restoring former peat extraction sites
The Northern block was restored from August to November 2019 as an open mixotrophic mire with three different water levels and a control site. It is expected to develop towards a bog forest in the long term. At the same time, the Southern block was restored as a shallow water wetland with 0.2-0.7 m water depth, mainly to attract waterfowls and to increase diversity. A hydrological connection was established between the southern and northern blocks in the Western and Eastern sections. The drainage was blocked, and most of the trees were removed. Some felled trees were left to decompose in the water bodies as they will act as wave-breaks to allow faster re-vegetation.
Restoring former peat extraction sites further includes continuously investigating the vegetation covers, their composition, and their respective development. Sundew, sphagnum (peat moss), reed (Phragmites australis), cattails and cottongrass are typical plants in bogs and restored peatland areas. Not to forget the delicious cranberries and cloudberries! Moreover, those plants are desirable for several insects, and consequently for birds, that breed and overtake Laiuse each and every year again.
Concluded: Restoring former peat extraction fields is attractive and highly beneficial for flora and fauna – YES. Nevertheless, it invites nature-interested people to visit. Next time, enjoy the sunset and its beauty!