Afforestation - scientific research conducted

In autumn 2019, the first round of scientific research on afforestation of post-harvested peatlands was implemented in framework of after-use (reclamation) program of the peat extraction company Laflora in Kaigu Mire.

This autumn, the first round of scientific research on afforestation of post-harvested peatlands was implemented in framework of after-use (reclamation) program of the peat extraction company Laflora in Kaigu Mire. The study was of several years’ duration, and it provided important information for the whole peat industry on the most suitable tree species for biomass production in post-harvested peatlands in Latvia, as well as the information on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by using this after-use scenario in post-harvested peatlands. 

The afforested area in Kaigu Mire provides a significant reduction of greenhouse gas emissions – 73 tons of CO2 equivalent per year. The first round of afforestation within Laflora after-use program was implemented by Laflora in cooperation with Nature Conservation Agency, Latvian State Forest Research Institute Silava and Latvian Peat Association, in the framework of LIFE REstore project (European Commission's Environment and Climate Action programme) from 2015 to 2019. 

Responsible peatlands management

In order to implement the concept of responsible peatlands management in Latvia, which means that peat is harvested in a sustainable way and the obtained peat is processed into value-added products, and for the compensation of greenhouse gas emissions, an extensive program of after-use (reclamation) of post-harvested peatlands is being implemented by Laflora. 

The program is a set of measures for compensation of emissions caused by peat extraction. These measures reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ensure carbon dioxide (CO2) capture, thus ensuring Laflora's contribution to the country's climate neutrality goals. After-use allows to return the post-harvested peatlands to economic circulation, ensuring sustainable land management after the completion of peat extraction. Therefore, in 2017, the company Laflora responded to the invitation of Nature Conservation Agency and established an experimental tree plantation in post-harvested peatland in Kaigu Mire in the area of 9 hectares, in cooperation with Latvian State Forest Research Institute Silava. 

Afforestation – a sustainable after-use scenario

Afforestation of post-harvested peatland can significantly reduce the climate-affecting carbon dioxide emissions as the emissions from peatlands are captured by biomass of growing trees. The amount of carbon stored in wood biomass is directly proportional to the growth rate – the faster the biomass increase, the more carbon is accumulated in the after-used area. "This is the largest scientific research project carried out in Latvia over the last 30 years on the after-use of extracted peatlands", says Dagnija Lazdiņa, a scientist at the Latvian State Forest Research Institute Silava.

Tree species most suitable for wood biomass production in peat soils (birch, common alder, pine, poplar) were studied. In total, 6,636 tree seedlings in various combinations were planted in 80 blocks. For the first time in Latvia, the improvement of soil in post-harvested peatlands by using wood ash was studied, and optimal doses of ash for various tree species were clarified. It is important to note that wood ash is of natural origin and its effect on peat soils can last up to 50 years, which is many times longer than with mineral fertilizers. At the same time, the impact of afforestation on the climate was studied. After measuring greenhouse gas emissions over a two-year period, scientists concluded that afforestation, especially pine plantation, can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in post-harvested peatlands in the long run. Thus, afforestation can be considered to be one of the most effective climate management scenarios for post-harvested peatlands, which also provides social and economic benefits. 

The forested area in Kaigu Mire provides a significant reduction of greenhouse gas emissions – 73 tons of CO2 equivalent per year. After the end of the first round, the research in the afforestation area of Kaigu Mire will be continued, in order to evaluate the results in the long run.

The LIFE REstore project “Sustainable and responsible management and re-use of degraded peatlands in Latvia” developed recommendations for peat extraction industry in Latvia on the sustainable management of post-harvested peatlands. LIFE REstore research results – on various after-use scenarios, on greenhouse gas emissions, on assessment of peatland ecosystem services – are summarized in the book “Sustainable and Responsible Management of Peat extraction Areas”, available HERE.

“Laflora is a progressive company that sees the value of natural resources in a complex way, and it operates in a sustainable way, in the context of climate change mitigation goals. The Nature Conservation Agency is considering further cooperation with the company in the future. A new project has been submitted to the European Commission's LIFE Environment and Climate Program for evaluation. Here, Laflora already agreed to participate as a project partner, with paludiculture in almost 20 ha”, says Ieva Saleniece, LIFE REstore project manager. More about LIFE REstore: restore.daba.gov.lv.

After-use program of post-harvested peatlands 

The next stage of the after-use program is the expansion of afforested areas, using the results of the first round of research. Already next year, in cooperation with the Latvian State Forest Research Institute Silava, it is planned to create a new after-use territory – pine plantation in area of 4 hectares where soil will be improved with optimal doses of wood ash. This will further promote the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and CO2 capture in Kaigu Mire. In total, the after-use program in Kaigu mire (Jelgava municipality) covers areas of almost 189 ha, where innovative, science-based after-use scenarios are sought in cooperation with scientists and various organizations. After-use measures include berry plantations (cranberries, highbush blueberries, lingonberries); cultivation of mire plants for biomass production and reclamation of territories (for example, cultivation of peat-forming Sphagnum mosses and Calamus-Iris), commercial plant nurseries of heather, Labrador tea (Ledum), rhododendron. Research is ongoing on the use of hives of bees and bumblebees. 

This year, the implementation of the Laflora wind farm idea in Kaigu Mire has started – an environmental impact assessment process is ongoing. The wind farm will supply the "green energy" to the company for its own consumption and for the public market. Next year, the residents of Jelgava town and Jelgava municipality will be invited to a public consultation on the idea of wind park.

The company Laflora has been working in Kaigu Mire of Jelgava municipality since 1995, but peat extraction in this mire started in 1960s. The total area of mire is 1535 hectares, where industrial peat extraction takes place in 763 hectares, the after-use program is implemented in 189 hectares, but next to the peat extraction area, a protected nature area Nature 2000 site Kaigu purvs Nature Reserve (583 ha) is located. Kaigu Mire is a good example where interests of nature conservation and economic activity may exist side by side. 

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