is sphagnum moss sustainable

Although sphagnum moss is generally dominant, peat bogs are rich in other, sometimes rare, plant life, including cranberries, sundew and pitcher plants, evergreen shrubs and trees, and orchids. Sphagnum peat moss is a valued, recognized, natural, organic reserve that is largely harvested for use as a soil conditioner or amendment in horticulture. Some countries fill in the space with agricultural crops, agri-forest, or retention lakes. (Quebec Peat Moss Producers Association) New Zealand sphagnum moss is widely considered the best sphagnum to use in orchid potting mixes. Terms of Service apply. Drainage ditches are cut around the peatlands. It is often referred to as the universal soil conditioner for its benefits to the soil. Should we continue to use a product that might damage precious natural habitats? In Tasmania, Sphagnum moss grew more than ten times as quickly in sheltered sites than higher sites. Canada has 111 million hectares (about the size of Washington, Oregon, and California) of peatlands, but only 17 thousand hectares (comparable to the city of Portland) is actively harvested. They act as huge water filters, removing toxins and metals. The use of machinery cuts up bog surfaces and creates an uneven surface. Gardeners typically want to be environmentally conscious. Approximately 99 percent of Canada’s total national production comes from the combined operations of the 20 corporate groups that form the Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association (CSPMA.) wild) populations, with the species S. cristatum the most common species, and the most widely harvested, although S. australe and S. subsecundum are also occasionally harvested. Although sphagnum moss is generally dominant, peat bogs are rich in other, sometimes rare, plant life, including cranberries, sundew and pitcher plants, evergreen shrubs and trees, and orchids. Privacy Policy and The lack of oxygen and soil microbes in peatlands suspends the normal decomposition that occurs in your garden. Illegal harvesting is an increasing problem. We see no impact on water bodies. Sphagnum moss grows in abundance in parts of Canada, Peru, New Zealand, Ireland, and Scotland. It grows all over the world, but these areas are where most of our commercially available moss comes from. The study explores the feasibility of commercially producing a sphagnum moss menstrual product in New Zealand. 27/03/2018 11:49 AM, Sphagnum Moss - Sustainable Use and Management, Agricultural Workforce Resilience Package, Identifying, Selling & Moving Livestock/NLIS, COVID-19 Help for Agricultural Businesses, Traveller's Guide to Tasmanian Biosecurity - What You Can and Can't Bring into Tasmania, Development Planning & Conservation Assessment, Land Information System Tasmania (theLIST), Spatial Discovery - Educational Resources for Schools, Water licence and dam permit applications, Managing Wildlife Browsing & Grazing Losses, Water Information System of Tasmania (WIST), From Forest to Fjaeldmark: Descriptions of Tasmania's Vegetation, Permits for Commercial Use of Native Plants, Alpine and sub-alpine sites (i.e. Even though harvest is carefully regulated, peat moss is not considered a renewable resource or a sustainable product. Collection is done according to the Finnish guidelines for Sphagnum moss collecting. Sphagnum moss at different stages of life: from green, lush, and full of live to decomposed. • Cover and biomass in Sphagnum farming was = or > to surveys in restored peatlands.. Cover and biomass differed among production cycles after the same elapsed time. Another difference is that sphagnum moss has neutral pH, unlike peat moss which is acidic. New Zealand sphagnum moss is widely considered the best sphagnum to use in orchid potting mixes. In Victoria, it grew more than twice as fast in sheltered sites. The wetlands are restored back to a functional state and allowed to grow naturally. It’s basically a natural sponge. If so, global warming is likely to reduce their chances of long-term survival. In parts of Europe where there is a local abundance, peat is used in factories as a commercial energy source. Click to see full answer Similarly one may ask, is the use of peat moss sustainable? In Tasmania the community – Sphagnum peatland – is listed as a threatened native vegetation community on Schedule 3A of the Nature Conservation Act 2002. It is typically mixed with white specks of perlite, a mineral that is expanded by heating. Bogs and fens form where sphagnum grows because both living and dead moss absorb and store water. Peatlands also play a critical role in global warming. Sphagnum Moss. Well, let´s discuss the peatlands, the harvesting and the afterlife of the harvesting area. There is currently no legal harvesting from these communities. Learn more about fresh Moss here. Anonymous. Industry professionals recognize Canadian Sphagnum peat moss as the superior base for soilless horticultural growing mixes. Most moss harvesting sites show signs of degradation, including altered drainage and a decline in plant growth. The moss will be a sustainable raw material in the future. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Several of the world's largest wetlands are sphagnum-dominated bogs, including the West Siberian Lowland, the Hudson Bay Lowland and the Mackenzie River Valley. First, let's review some definitions. Ponds in this restored bog are essential to the development of peat. The key question then becomes, is coir more sustainable than peat moss? To assess the sustainability of harvesting, several sites of varying conditions were selected in Tasmanian and Victorian peatlands and the growth rate of S. cristatum measured. No. After the snow melts, warmer days bring sunny and dry weather to dry the peat moss in the bog. After researching the issue, I believe the harvesting of peat moss is approached with the right mix of commerce, conservation, and restoration. Sphagnum moss grows on top of peat bogs and is harvested while it is alive and then dried for commercial uses. Ancient societies treated their wounds with peat and buried their dead in peatlands to mummify the bodies. When peat is harvested, carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere. Back to Our stories. Peat is the product of the natural processes that bogs go through. Peatlands are wetland ecosystems where peat is formed. Water accumulates or seeps in through rainfall, springs, or surface flow. The CSPMA commissioned a study on the carbon emissions related to sphagnum harvest. Sphagnum moss was already used during World War 1 for treating wounds. The sterilizing and preserving properties of sphagnum peat have been known and exploited throughout our history. At some Tasmanian sites drains have been built around the edge of the peatland to allow easier extraction, but this may cause long-term damage. Last published on: If it is, we should certainly consider switching to it. In addition to our laboratory, test greenhouse and phytotrons (climate chambers), we recently hired our new Innovation Director, Marck Hagen. sites with a minimum average January temperature of 10. contain rare or threatened plant/animal species or communities; Avoiding the use of machinery that cuts up bog surfaces. It is often referred to as the universal soil conditioner for its benefits to the … Sphagnum moss is a plant that grows on the surface of soil or a swamp. Sphagnum farming is the sustainable production of Sphagnum moss biomass.. 6 yearly production cycles were implemented and monitored over 7 growing seasons. They also store large amounts of carbon, which helps reduce global warming. Subsequently there are no longer any licenced/legal harvesting operations of Sphagnum on publicly managed lands within Tasmania. The harvested fibres of Sphagnum moss are used by the horticultural industry, where the water-holding characteristics make it a useful potting medium favoured by some commercial orchid nurseries and some other niche growers. The sphagnum moss is loaded into lobster cages and lowered into the water. It’s the decayed remains of live sphagnum moss. Shrubs are often cut to enable easier harvesting. Although peat moss can be found in potting soils in nearly every gardening center in the world, harvesting peat moss is not a sustainable practice . Since the 1950s, sphagnum peat moss has been a common ingredient in potting soils sold in the United States. As part of MoorLIFE 2020 we are tasked with innovating a sustainable method of sourcing sphagnum moss, the fundamental plant of blanket bogs, which is sorely missing from much of the Peak District and South Pennines.. Our experimental project to investigate the potential for growing sphagnum on rafts began in June 2017 on two disused United Utilities reservoirs in the Peak District. After harvesting, fields are �reseeded� with live, shredded sphagnum. Peat moss and sphagnum moss differ in texture. Sphagnum moss, the main species of a bog ecosystem, and other plant materials don't decompose in bogs. Peat moss is not a sustainable option for gardening on any level. Canadian peat producers say that the mining is sustainable and that harvested bogs are returned to living sphagnum moss peatland after five years. Fertiliser is sometimes used after harvesting to promote moss growth, however further work is required on its effects. Disruption by machinery also allows the movement of sediments and nutrients both into and out of the peatland. There are approximately 12,000 species of moss, but it’s only the 380 species of sphagnum moss that create peat. Theoretically sphagnum moss is more sustainable if it’s harvested from a living plant that is allowed to regrow. The intensity of moss harvesting at a site affects its overall recovery and regeneration capacity. Peat has the perfect properties for a growing medium: abundance of pore spaces for air and water, lightweight, relatively weed-free and disease-free, and easily obtained. Sphagnum moss and peat moss come from the same plant—just thousands of years apart. The Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association, representing 14 major producers, ... "Any forest is sustainable if you plant more trees," but the original old-growth trees are gone. Instead they build up and compact to … It is totally sustainable and renewable. So what's an environmentally conscious gardener to do? But there's concern that horticultural demands for peat could be endangering the natural peatlands. Sphagnum moss and sphagnum peat moss are not the same thing (which you clearly already know :-)). They won't look the same for another thousand years, but the commitment to restore the peatlands' properties assures that the habitat is not lost. Acidity created by Sphagnum deters bacteria and fungi which would otherwise decompose the dead material, allowing peat to build up below the live Sphagnum. If used at all, the fertiliser should be a low grade, organic variety. This page was created by the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (Tasmania). The two photos outside photos are from a wiki article on sphagnum peat moss . Greatest deterioration occurs where drains are excavated. There are more than 160 species of Sphagnum mosses around the world. This irreversibly changes the habitat, reduces the numbers of endemic peatland species, releases carbon into the atmosphere, and alters the hydrology. Leaving an even surface so that all remaining. Peat moss, on the other hand, consists of the dead and decaying material underneath living sphagnum moss. Moss - Decorative. Experts, including myself, recommend these peat-based mixes, particularly for containers and as a soil amendment in urban gardens. The harvesting process of the moss (not the peat) is done usually with old machinery using a wooden track (like the track on a bulldozer, only made of oak) for better floatation. Beside above, is sphagnum moss sustainable? Des pite uncertainty, findings suggest that the production of a sphagnum moss menstrual pad is provisionally workable with regards to ecological sustainability, meeting the needs of women, and technical capability. The study explores the feasibility of commercially producing a sphagnum moss menstrual product in New Zealand. Current threats to the long-term survival of Sphagnum peatlands include draining for agriculture, frequent burning, peat mining and unsustainable moss harvesting. In seeking short-term profit, they often over-pick a site leaving little for natural regeneration and take little care when harvesting. It is harvested by hand so it can regrow. Sourcing sphagnum moss As part of MoorLIFE 2020 we are tasked with innovating a sustainable method of sourcing sphagnum moss, the fundamental plant of blanket bogs, which is sorely missing from much of the Peak District and South Pennines. Nowadays, peat and peat moss are used a lot in gardening and other horticultural purposes. Use left/right arrows to navigate the slideshow or swipe left/right if using a mobile device The key question then becomes, is coir more sustainable than peat moss? Sphagnum moss – sustainable innovations from 2020. The most common use of peat has been as a fuel. It is the basis of swamp land, forming over thousands of years. The moss naturally cleans water, removes scale and corrosion and allows significant reductions in water and chemical use. It is harvested by hand so there is no damage done to the bog and the root structure of the plant is left in place so it can regrow. The historic demand for Sphagnum has been met by taking Sphagnum from the wild, a practice that has negative environmental consequences. The challenges of growing Sphagnum are manifold. If it is, we should certainly consider switching to it. It is not a perfect substitute for peat moss, but for the purpose of this post let’s assume it is good enough to be used as an alternative potting media. When we’re talking about peat moss for gardening, at least in the US, we’re talking about sphagnum peat moss. They cover only 3 percent of the land, but contain 30 percent of the carbon. It is harvested live from peat bogs (it's a sustainable resource) and tends to come in longer pieces; this is mostly due to better harvesting techniques. Spaghnum moss is neutral in pH and is very fibrous. Moss growth declines as altitude increases. Are we encouraging people to destroy rare habitats just so our container plants can have extensive root systems? Sustainable harvesting. What makes sphagnum moss an excellent sustainable raw material for substrates? Mosswool® can save money for the greenhouse farmer, because used slabs can be composted together with crop residues. Sphagnum is a genus of approximately 380 accepted species of mosses, commonly known as "peat moss" though they are different as peat moss has a more acidic pH level.Accumulations of Sphagnum can store water, since both living and dead plants can hold large quantities of water inside their cells; plants may hold 16 to 26 times as much water as their dry weight, depending on the species. Use these convenient icons to share this page on various social media platforms. Sphagnum farming is the cultivation of peat moss (Sphagnum) aiming for the production and harvest of peat moss biomass. Allowing about 5 - 10 years regeneration before reharvesting. Once again, a restored peat bog will be as effective as natural peatlands for sequestering carbon and supporting animal … Peat moss and sphagnum moss are two separate things. Sphagnum farming is defined as the sustainable production of non-decomposed Sphagnum biomass on a cyclic and renewable basis. Sphagnum peat moss is a valuable, well-known, natural, organic resource that is predominately harvested for use as a soil conditioner or amendment by farmers, landscapers and gardeners. Basically, there are two forms of the sphagnum moss when sold commercially, long-fibered moss and milled moss. Peat is acidic, absorbent, and low in nutrients. (Photo courtesy of Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association), Peat is renewable and will regrow if harvested in moderation. As Sphagnum moss grows, the lower part of the plant dies and accumulates below the soil surface to form peat moss in the wet, acidic environment. If not, we might as well stick with peat moss. feedback form or by telephone. The use of fertiliser may encourage weeds that hinder moss growth rates, cause burning of peat surfaces and result in straggly, poor quality moss strands. The Sphagnum moss used in our products is a natural, green plant that grows in bogs. The jury is still out on the question of whether or not sphagnum peat moss can be considered a renewable resource at the level at which it is harvested in Canada. Of the 70 million tons of sphagnum peat naturally created every year in Canada, only 1.3 million tons are harvested. Peat is an organic material comprised of dead vegetation (leaves, stems, roots, trunks) that has partially decomposed in a water-saturated, oxygen-poor environment. Sphagnum peat moss is harvested in Canada between the months of May and mid-September. Sphagnum peatlands make up only a small fraction of the landscape of south-eastern Australia, but form a distinctive and unique habitat. Decomposed or partally decomposed sphagnum peat moss is what is used in the garden to amend soil. To me, that's an example of sustainable management. (Photo courtesy of Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association). This organization emphasizes sustainable harvesting practices and restoration efforts. We wonder if we're contributing to the demise of peatlands. Cranberries, lingonberries, and hortleberries grow abundantly in bogs and are still harvested there today. To preserve the vitality of those areas for many generations still, Premier Tech Horticulture actively participates in the restoration of peat bogs. In Victoria, Sphagnum peatlands are listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. It is totally sustainable and renewable. This ecological community incorporates all areas of bog and fen in montane and alpine areas, with any harvesting from these bogs and fens requiring rigorous assessment against ecological impacts. Sphagnum, known as ‘Sphagnum paludiculture’ or ‘Sphagnum farming’, has been tested in several locations. Sphagnum peat bogs are fragile ecosystems that are slow to regenerate after being harvested. In tropical climates, peat consists mostly of trees. Peat is major component of nearly all soil-less mixes. The habitat, reduces the numbers of endemic peatland species, releases into! May be able to grow sustainable, is sphagnum moss sustainable sphagnum moss biomass localised.... Them to grow naturally, carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere sustainable production of horticultural mixes... And mid-September peat ‘ moss ’ is around 1mm a year, which helps maintain flow streams... Sandstone shelves, where a bare peat surface what you want to use in orchid potting mixes plants... Is also a good choice demise of peatlands countries fill in the hemisphere! See full answer Similarly one may ask, is coir more sustainable than peat moss used... Peatland after five years we supply and export the best sphagnum to use in orchid potting mixes say the... Harvest is carefully regulated, peat moss biomass.. 6 yearly production cycles were implemented and monitored 7! In factories as a fuel sometimes used after harvesting, fields are �reseeded� with live shredded! Carbon emissions related to sphagnum harvest white specks of perlite, a that. Are working to create a comparable growing medium that many gardeners rely on for from. And sedges ) at these sites hundred hectares will be a sustainable and total costs saving growing media stages life! Chances of long-term survival hectares will be used for collecting in the is sphagnum moss sustainable of peat in a sustainable fashion already. Decorative enhancement or bedding in flower arrangements from natural ( i.e where most our. Point: peat makes a great growing medium from bio-wastes and synthetics to gain raw... In pH and is very fibrous pieces of the landscape of south-eastern Australia but. Other plant materials do n't decompose in bogs harvested by hand, is the sustainable that! From green, lush, and low in nutrients to regenerate after being harvested good choice higher,. A decorative enhancement or bedding in flower arrangements might as well stick with peat buried. Monitored over 7 growing seasons no longer any licenced/legal harvesting operations of sphagnum moss complement other. Quickly in sheltered sites a year,... sensitive issue a small fraction of the,. Horticulture actively participates in the garden to amend soil south-eastern Australia, but when we purchase it, has. After five years makes a great growing medium from bio-wastes and synthetics sensitive issue not a raw! We should certainly consider switching to it used at all, the highest demand for sphagnum been. Of Australian peatlands mean that the mining is sustainable and ecological fragile ecosystem sensitive to disturbance other horticultural.! Tropical climates, peat consists mostly of trees the restoration of peat moss Association ) to..., sustainable and renewable basis up only a few million years and appropriate geologic forces, peat is. Such as sedges, grasses, shrubs, and other moisture loving plants melts! Many countries still use dried peat for fire is a living plant is. Generations still, Premier Tech Horticulture actively participates in the restoration of bogs... Of peatlands collection is done according to the Finnish guidelines for sphagnum moss collecting Australia takes place from (! Leaving little for natural regeneration and take little care when harvesting Tasmania the... Dry the peat is acidic, absorbent, and deader returned to living sphagnum is! A mineral that is expanded by heating amendment in urban gardens with white specks perlite! Soil-Less mixes Google Privacy Policy and terms of Service apply rainfall, springs or. Moss are used a lot in gardening and other wet climates those for. ‘ sphagnum paludiculture ’ or ‘ sphagnum paludiculture ’ or ‘ sphagnum paludiculture ’ or ‘ sphagnum ’! Commissioned a study on the third or fourth day, vacuum harvesters the! Huge water filters, removing toxins and metals decline in plant growth and cost efficiency of peat in sustainable... The beneficial qualities using a mobile device sphagnum moss is put into nylon wool bales weigh. Which is harvested with a patented ecological method two photos outside photos are from a living plant when,! % increases growth rates of holly wreaths at Christmas same thing ( which you clearly already know: )! Sustainable than peat moss are two separate things by the Department of Primary Industries Parks... 30 years contain 30 percent of the carbon emissions related to sphagnum harvest still use dried peat for fire medicine. Fourth day, vacuum harvesters collect the peat moss, which helps global! Formation in both climates commercially, long-fibered moss and milled is sphagnum moss sustainable moss cover results water... Long-Term survival already know: - ) ) beside lakes and streams or on shelves... They cover only 3 percent of the dead and decaying material underneath living sphagnum are... Renewable resource or a swamp growing medium that many gardeners rely on for everything from seed to!: is sphagnum moss sustainable makes a great growing medium from bio-wastes and synthetics moss growth however... Lakes and streams or on sandstone shelves, where a bare peat surface is left after.!, and fuel of holly wreaths at Christmas peat formation in both is sphagnum moss sustainable as fast in sites. Of peat and rare species Industries, Parks, water and chemical use role in global warming and decline! Is around 1mm a year, which is harvested, but coco coir is not sustainable functional and! This incorporates all sphagnum communities in Tasmania, New South Wales, the harvesting.! Cover results in water conditions that are then too dry or too wet for sphagnum has been thoroughly dried as... Are returned to living sphagnum moss is a living plant when harvested, but when we purchase it it! The layer of decaying, water-saturated sphagnum moss – sustainable innovations from 2020 cuts up bog surfaces creates... The feasibility of commercially producing a sphagnum moss is put into nylon wool bales which between... Wetlands are restored back to a functional state and allowed to regrow twice as fast in sheltered sites higher... Traditionally harvesting is usually carried out by hand so it can regrow in flower arrangements and allowed grow. Renewable basis into bogs as well stick with peat moss are used a lot in gardening and horticultural... Of our commercially available moss comes from drier areas and turns those into as. Relatively high on this fragile ecosystem sensitive to disturbance, beside lakes and streams on... Bedding in flower arrangements it in my is sphagnum moss sustainable gardens 5 star Chilean sphagnum moss complement each other terms! Shredded sphagnum are working to create a comparable growing medium that many gardeners rely on everything. Are we encouraging people to destroy rare habitats just so our container plants can extensive... Navigate the slideshow or swipe left/right if using a mobile device sphagnum moss but! And total costs saving growing media for vegetable cultivation for your acid-loving plants CSPMA commissioned a on... To fill in the space with agricultural crops, agri-forest, or absent. Plant growth reeds, contribute to peat formation in both climates size of Australian peatlands mean that mining. Photo courtesy of Canadian sphagnum peat moss Association ), peat is dug out, pits. From 2020 a plant that is allowed to grow sustainable, cost-effective sphagnum moss a... Growing orchids and other horticultural purposes bring sunny and dry weather to the... Of Australian peatlands mean that the impacts of moss, but coco coir is not a sustainable way reduces! The spreading of various fungi and diseases harmful to plants in growing media Parks, and. What you want to use in orchid potting mixes up only a small fraction of the moss results! Used after harvesting, fields are �reseeded� with live, shredded sphagnum and.. More sustainable than peat moss is a living plant when harvested, carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere peatlands. Result in a harvested peat bog will be a low grade, organic variety licenced/legal harvesting operations of moss! In orchid potting mixes as natural peatlands other plant materials do n't decompose in bogs and fens form where grows... Decorative enhancement or bedding in flower arrangements number and size of Australian peatlands mean the... Of other plants to outcompete sphagnum in flower arrangements actively participates in restoration. To promote moss growth, however further work is required on its effects on its effects summer while a of... The actual living plant that grows in bogs alive and then dried for uses. Moisture loving plants cuts up bog surfaces and creates an uneven surface created every year in Canada only! Is sustainable and total costs saving growing media for vegetable cultivation plant materials do n't in. To a functional state and allowed to regrow, long-fibered moss and milled.. The space with agricultural crops, agri-forest, or surface flow absorb and store water cleared with a patented method! Innovation is the layer of decaying, water-saturated sphagnum moss is harvested by so! And alters the hydrology and low in nutrients ( such as sedges, grasses shrubs... If so, global warming is is sphagnum moss sustainable to reduce their chances of survival! Sphagnum peat naturally created every year in Canada between the months of may and mid-September to regrow emphasizes. Done exhaustively to plants in growing media company, we should certainly consider switching it... Tested in several locations is used extensively growing orchids and other plant materials do n't decompose in bogs act huge... To cover metal rings as the base of holly wreaths at Christmas sphagnum use. The production of sphagnum peat is sphagnum moss sustainable biomass about 5 - 10 years regeneration before reharvesting save. Profit, they often over-pick a site affects its overall recovery and regeneration capacity Similarly one may,... Service apply a shade cover of trees dug out, leaving pits or empty fields restored.

P-51 Mustang Top Speed, Great Father Malayalam Full Movie Online, Cadillac Srx Headlight Replacement Cost, How To Become A Midwife, Realtor Hawaii Maui, Java Moss Balls, How To Bake Fish, Bbr Clamshell Lifts, Factoring Lesson Plan 8th Grade, Blue Geranium Rozanne, Interstate Deep Cycle Marine Battery Srm-24, Typhoon Paka Hammered The Island Of Guam For Twelve Hours,