Ron Meier 1, Vera Luthardt 1, Heike Lotsch 2,Bernhard Hasch 2, Jutta Zeitz 1 1 Fachhochschule Eberswalde, University of Applied Sciences Eberswalde, Department of Landscape Management and Nature Conservation / 2 Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Faculty of Agriculture and Horticulture, Department of Soil Science and Site Science / 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) 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 mire type List of vegetation Catchment area Map Drainage systems Soil type/threats and utilization The mapping procedure further forms the foundation for the computer-based decision support system „DSS-WAMOS“ ( 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 mires Parameter 1 MeasureExample 1 water-bearing main ditch 2 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 ditch 2 and 1 main ditch 2 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 ditch 2 infilling with planar topsoil removal alternative: infilling with cohesive material (loam) Infiltration ditch 2 (s. a.) species conservation stepwise rise of water level first step: side ditches, infiltration ditches 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) 3 As a result shrinkage, sinking and mineralization of the mire body Parameter 1 MeasureExample 1 main ditch 2 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 ditch 2 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 1 MeasuresExample 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 mires e.g. sloping fen, spring mire or percolation mire Sloping mires e.g. sloping fen, spring mire or percolation mire