Articles
ASPECTS OF THE RAW MATERIAL PEAT – RESOURCES AND AVAILABILITY
Raised bogs are subject hereto as well, even though they can hardly be regarded as natural habitats due to intensive utilization by fen cultivation, bog cultivation by burning and raised bog cultivation during the past decades and centuries.
In horticultural science an urge to develop alternative substrate materials has emerged during the last years, based on the argument peat resources and peat availability are declining.
Most alternative substrate materials are waste or by-products which can be processed but are not products the grower can use without problems.
At least 2 % of the world’s land surface are peatlands.
Due to incomplete inventories and lack of standard when surveying only approx. data on peat deposits can be made.
Exact data are known for the Federal State of Lower Saxony.
Preservation projects reduce available peat resources.
Nevertheless, calculations report resources to be about 400 mill. m3 of slightly decomposed and 700 mill. m3 of strongly decomposed peat.
Peat production being about 10 mill. m3 annually (FRG) leaves considerable resources.
Atmospheric conditions might cause shortages in availability in certain years.
In countries such as Canada, the U.S.A. and the U.S.S.R. with much greater deposits distinct conflicts between nature preservation and peatland utilization are presently not given.