Ron Meier1, Vera Luthardt1 , Heike Lotsch2

,Bernhard Hasch2, Jutta Zeitz1

1 Fachhochschule Eberswalde, University of Applied Sciences Eberswalde, Department of Landscape Management and Nature Conservation / E-Mail: vluthardt@fh-eberswalde.de

2 Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Faculty of Agriculture and Horticulture, Department of Soil Science and Site Science / E-Mail: jutta.zeitz@agrar.hu-berlin.de

D S S - W A M O S

A standardized peatland mapping procedure as a basis for the deduction of renaturation

measures and their success control

Peatlands inside forest areas (forest peatlands) are in a state closer to nature than those in the open land. The knowledge about occurrence, conditions and threat factors of peatlands in forests is significantly incomplete. Therefore, the University of Applied Science Eberswalde in cooperation with the State Environmental Agency of Brandenburg, developed a standardized peatland mapping procedure. The procedure was designed particularly for fens and transitional mires in forest areas and got tested in practice in Brandenburg (Fig. 1).

The standard form comprises seven pages altogether. Beginning with general information on location, forestry district and photo documentation, the form continues with a division into two spatial levels (Fig. 2): the actual peatland and its direct catchment area.

Parameters and measures (example) Parameters and measures (example)

Fig. 3: Selection of decision relevant parameters for moduel “hydraulic measures” in the DSS-WAMOS Mapping of forest peatlands – Standard form

Fig. 1: Mapping sheets of „DSS-WAMOS Mapping of forest peatlands – Standard form“

Hydrogenetic m

ire type

List of vegetation

Catchm

ent area

Map

Drainage system

s

Soil type/threats and utilization

The mapping procedure further forms the foundation for the computer-based decision support system „DSS-WAMOS“ (www.dss-wamos.de), which aims at the conservation and management of peatlands in forest areas. Contents and structure of the mapping procedure were aligned to the project-specific requirements. It provides the input information required for the DSS – application and with this enables deductions for

concrete renaturation measures (Fig.3).

Fig. 2: Basic structure of the mapping form for mires in forest areas in Brandenburg

• construction of ditches / hydrological situation in ditches regarding in- and outflow

• nutrient path

• downstream exposed nutrient-poor habitats (ponds, lakes ..)

• mineral soil type

drained minerotrophic miresdrained minerotrophic mires

Parameter1 Measure Example

• 1 water-bearing main ditch2

• relief: planar• Sphagnum mire• dry „sponge“ mire• no utilization• cohesive soil in

catchment area

• sealing of outflow• material: cohesive soil

from catchment area• alternative: double

series of palisades with loam infilling

• many side ditches, 1 infiltration ditch2 and 1 main ditch2

• lagg: partially wet and dry

• Sphagnum mire• dry „swing-“ or

“sponge-“ mire, partially „sponge“ mire

• slight peat degradation

• no utilization• endangered or

protected species existing

• no cohesive soil in catchment area

Side ditches• especially in wet mire

lagg zone: infilling with planar topsoil removal

• alternative: single line of palisades with peat cover

Infiltration ditch2

• infilling with planar topsoil removal

• alternative: infilling with cohesive material (loam)

Infiltration ditch2 (s. a.)

species conservation• stepwise rise of water

level• first step: side ditches,

infiltration ditches

Parameters and measures (example) Parameters and measures (example)

1 All Parameters available from DSS-WAMOS Mapping of forest peatlands – Standard form 2 Main ditches leads water from mire away; depth lower than mire thickness ( ≠ infiltration ditches: ditch depth bigger than mire thickness) 3As a result shrinkage, sinking and mineralization of the mire body

Parameter1 Measure Example

• 1 main ditch2 and many side ditches

• relief: „V-shaped“3, strongly subsided

• active springs• nutrient rich mire• dry “sponge“ mire• heavily degraded

peat soils• mire depth >1,2 m• no protected or

endangered species existing

• no afforestation• no utilization

Side ditches• planar topsoil removal

sideways ditches for complete infilling usage

• alternative: partial infilling or cascading with wooden sheet pile walls (with peat cover)

Main ditch2

• see above• additionally („V-shaped

relief): several transversally to mire gradient constructed peat walls (about 40 – 70 cm high)

• relief (primary, secondary, micro)

• shape of lagg

• water retaining system

• mire depth / -bedrock

• mire grounds

• ecological mire types

• hydrostatic (-dynamic) mire type

• utilization

• endangered and protected species

Mire area

catchment area

Parameter and measures (example) Parameter and measures (example)

Parameter1 Measures Example

• ditches in mineral catchment area of spring mires

• cohesive soil in catchment area

• planar complete infilling with in situ obtained soil from catchment area

• alternative: sealing with in situ obtained soil from catchment area

The implemented measures should follow a success control. In renaturated peatlands, the mapping process should be repeated regularly every 2 or 3 years - employing the same methodology. The procedure includes significant abiotic and biotic site characteristics. In that way a direct comparison of previous mapping results with the evaluation of recent changes as result of renaturation is possible.

Horizontal mires e.g. Flood mires, Terrestrialisation

mires or Water rise mires

Horizontal mires e.g. Flood mires, Terrestrialisation

mires or Water rise mires

Sloping mirese.g. sloping fen, spring mire or

percolation mire

Sloping mirese.g. sloping fen, spring mire or

percolation mire