Sphagnum Peat Moss: Ecological And Economical Factors

This paper focuses on some important examples of ecological and environmental factors of a simple phenomenon called Sphagnum peat moss. First, a general definition of what peat moss is will be given. Following the definition, important ecological factors such as where peat moss can be found will be introduced and discussed. Finally, five economic and environmental uses of Sphagnum peat moss will be listed and explained in some detail. Peat moss truly is a valuable and versatile substance; hopefully this paper will better help the reader to understand some of the magnificent qualities of this naturally created material.

Sphagnum peat moss is actually a byproduct of Sphagnum moss, numerous other plants, water and time. Sphagnum moss itself is a simple moss that grows in moist areas. Peat is a type of humetic soil that consists of partially decomposed plant remains that are in layer form and have been sitting for thousands of years. Typically, only ten percent of the peat is made up of solid plant material recognized by a brownish-black color; the remaining ninety percent happens to be water. The solid plant material rests upon the water, which commonly has less sapr

Sphagnum peat moss is also important in its major economic use worldwide as a biological fuel source. Many European countries including Finland, Scotland, Ireland, and Russia have been burning peat moss as a fuel source for decades (Keys, 1996). Across the globe, 61,061,000 cubic meters of peat moss was produced for use as fuel in 1997. Of this total, Ireland was responsible for 8,400,000 cubic meters, Russia was responsible for 8,680,000 cubic meters and Finland was responsible for the enormous amount of 30,120,000 cubic meters (Hood, 1999). Even though it is a somewhat respectable source of energy, the more powerful peat-producing countries aren’t really considering Sphagnum peat moss in that light. Canada was somewhat interested in peat production for fuel during the decade of the seventies, but that didn’t last too long. Countries such as the United States, Great Britain and Canada are very economically stable, and are capable of amassing the extremely available fuel sources such as petroleum and coal. This factor makes peat production for energy production extremely unattractive in that sense (Keys, 1992).

ings, as a soil additive, as a top dressing for lawns and for seed germination (Hood, 1999).

Ecological factors are intriguing, but the major focus of interest when it comes to the importance of Sphagnum peat moss production has to do with its economic and natural benefits. Five of these benefits are discussed below in detail. The first economic use of Sphagnum peat moss, and the most important, happens to be its role in horticulture as a soil additive, growing medium and compost fertilizer. Peat is in great demand by crop producers, landscapers and other agricultural producers. According to many sources, there is no other medium available on the market that has all the positive attributes that peat moss has (especially the Sphagnum variety). This includes all grasses, leaves and bark mulch (Hood, 1999).

As one could assume, Sphagnum peat moss is a type of peat soil in which the majority of the decomposing plant material is Sphagnum moss. In fact, in order for observers to be able to classify the peat as Sphagnum peat moss, 66 percent of the fiber content of the peat must belong to the genus Sphagnum (Hood, 1999). Sphagnum is definitely not the only plant material apparent in Sphagnum peat moss. Other plant materials involved include plant parts (roots, seeds, leaves, etc.) from different types of heathers, sedges and grasses. Commonly, tree roots and trunks can be found decaying slowly in Sphagnum peat beds (Foss, 1996).

The next use of Sphagnum peat moss does not have to do with the economy but with nature and history. Due to its high carbon content (50 percent), ability to preserve, and the fact that the bog it is contained in could be over 10,000 years old, Sphagnum peat bogs are great sources of fossilized history. In the late 19th century, the archaeological team of Blytt and Sernander studied preserved vegetation zones in peat beds. Numerous macrofossil remains were found such as different plant parts. These men set the stage for scientist Lennart von Post to discover microfossils in the form of pollen. Using these pollen fossils, Post discovered great facts involving the plant genera and species occupying the world in historic times, along with information on past climates

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