In cooperation with scientists, the company planted pines for establishing a forest – in an area of approximately 4 ha in post-harvested peatland in Kaigu Mire. On the land owned by Laflora – Kaigu Mire – in post-harvested peatland, pine plantation of 4 hectares was established in cooperation with scientists.
Scientific studies show that pine plantations are a climate-friendly after-use way of post-harvested peatlands. They effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote CO2 capture. The extraction of peat in this area was completed around 2010. Unfortunately, due to the state of emergency due to COVID-19 in the country and restrictions on public gathering, the planned large-scale pine planting work with the ministries and governmental and non-governmental organizations involved has been planned to the next year. This year, the planting was carried out with the participation of Laflora employees, taking the utmost care in the current situation. The area of plantation was prepared according to the recommendations of Latvian State Forest Research Institute “Silava”, and ≈5 tons of wood ash per hectare were incorporated in the soil with the help of a spreader.
Wood ash can be used for the improvement of peaty soils. It is of natural origin, and its effect can last up to 50 years, which is many times longer than with mineral fertilizers. Although initially there are enough nutrients in the substrate for plant growth, the lack of nutrients begins in about two years. Based on research, experts now recommend the wood ash incorporation into the soil before planting. With wood ash, plants receive the necessary trace elements and macroelements – potassium and phosphorus, which are insufficient for plants in the residual peat layer after peat extraction.
This is a clear example of the circular economy: the use of landfill waste, as well as the achievement of climate goals by capturing CO2 emissions into the biomass of growing trees and its subsequent products. "A natural afforestation process was already started in the peatland along the ditches –1-3 m tall trees were already established. Some of them were left to diversify the future forest stand. By preserving these plants of different ages, the later plantation will be more attractive, more scenic and resemble a natural forest. Also, the residual peat layer is thick in this field (0.5 m and more), the roots of older trees stabilizes it and improves the bearing capacity of the soil,” says Dagnija Lazdiņa, senior researcher of Latvian State Forest Research Institute Silava. In total, about seven thousand pine seedlings were planted in rows.
When creating the new forest plantation, experience was used from the study on greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from peatlands in Latvia, organized by LIFE REstore project which was supported by European Commission's Environment and Climate Action Program. LIFE REstore (restore.daba.gov.lv) project was led by the Nature Conservation Agency, with participation of both Laflora and LVMI Silava. The experience from other pilot studies in the areas of SIA “Rīgas meži” and elsewhere was also used. The findings of these research show that pine is the best tree species for planting in wet organic soil in the long run. Initially, birches grow better; according to the literature, it should be also black alder. "In nature – in the existing plantations, we are convinced that in the long run pine is the best tree species. Initially it is smaller, but its growth becomes better and better with every year, both in height and width”, says D. Lazdiņa.
Afforestation is one of the after-use (reclamation) scenarios that has already been implemented in post-harvested peatlands in the part of Kaigu Mire owned by Laflora. The company has also implemented other after-use scenarios such as the propagation and cultivation of lingonberries, the cultivation of rhododendrons, heather and Labrador tea (Ledum), beekeeping, the cultivation of Sphagnum and other paludiculture crops, the cultivation of highbush blueberries and large cranberries.
“Continuing to implement the concept of responsible peatlands management in our company, we established a pine plantation in post-harvested peatland. This is an example of our active involvement in achieving climate goals through compensatory measures, ensuring the capture of carbon dioxide”, says Uldis Ameriks, Chairman of the Board of Laflora.
Together with LVMI “Silava” scientists, after the afforestation, the plantation will be supplemented with groundcover plants. It is planned to plant in various experimental blocks – rhododendrons, various dwarf shrubs with edible berries and blueberries, to expand the economic activity.
