Post-conference excursion: Wise Use and restoration of peatlands in Poland

摘要

We crossed Poland in five days observing a gamut of peatlands from the pristine Rospuda Valley fen to fish ponds created by peat extraction. The first stop was die Slowinski Biota reserve in north-western Poland where a member of the local nature club guided us through an impressive Baltic bog, a landscape characterized by dwarf pine trees (Pinus sylvestris) (Photo 1). Despite slight perturbation by the creation of two large drainage canals through the bog, this site remains one of the best preserved Baltic bogs in Poland. It was recognized as a nature reserve in 2005 and has been suggested as a Natura 2000 site. The slight drainage has created some changes in the vegetation, such as the encroachment of the pine trees, cotton grass (Erio-phorum vaginatum) and heather (Calluna vulgaris). The local nature club members have taken action to try to restore the natural hydrology by blocking the drainage ditches. Through a series of wooden dams, it is hoped that the natural bog vegetation communities will return.