Influence of border area drainage on the vegetation on the slope of the Ruunasoo bog, South-west Estonia

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Mon, 11/07/2011 - 13:35 — susann.warnecke
Authors: 
Mati Ilomets, Laimdota Truus, Raimo Pajula, Kairi Sepp and Elve Lode
Book (published in): 
After Wise Use – The Future of Peatlands, Proceedings of the 13th International Peat Congress: Pristine Mire Landscapes
Venue: 
Tullamore, Ireland
Year: 
2008
Keywords: 
bog border drainage, bog slope, peat compression, vegetation succession, water level

Summary:

 
The effect of long-term (over 100 years) drainage on the plant cover of the marginal slope of the Ruunasoo bog (SW-Estonia) was studied. Stable Vaccinium-dominated drained bog pine forest has formed close to the marginal ditch. The forest is expanding over the earlier open S. magellanicum-dominated bog slope and has even reached the hollow-ridge complex. As a result of the self-drainage, and limited throughfall because of dense tree canopy, the Sphagnum carpet is degrading. For the re-naturalization of the plant cover and hydrology of the bog slope, the cutting of trees and closing of ditches are both equally required.