The book on "The Wise Use of Mires and Peatlands - Background and Principles including a Framework for Decision-making" is the result of ground-breaking dialogue between peat extractors and the environmental protection movement. The book, which has just been launched, suggests a framework within which conflicts over the use of peatlands can be resolved.
In the second half of the 20th century the growing demands for energy, agriculture, horticulture and forestry led to a rapid increase in the commercial use of mires and peatlands. In the same period an increasing awareness of their environmental, ecological, aesthetic, and scientific value led to demands for the cessation or reduction of this commercial use. In order to deal with the resulting controversies the International Peat Society (representing those responsible for commercial uses) and the International Mire Conservation Group (representing those advocating conservation) met in the late 1990s to see if there was an alternative to confrontation.
They agreed to co-operate in developing guidelines for the "Wise Use" of mires and peatlands, and the result, after three years of consultations and meetings, is this book.
The book is based on specialised input from some fifty experts and its compiling was supervised by joint meetings of the IMCG and IPS. The drafting and writing of the book was carried out by Hans Joosten of the IMCG and Donal Clarke of the IPS. Hans Joosten is an assistant professor in Greifswald University in Germany and secretary-general of the IMCG. Donal Clarke is Head of Corporate Affairs in Bord na Móna p.l.c. in Ireland and chairman of IPS Commission II: Industrial Utilisation of Peat and Peatlands.
"Wise Use" is a term taken from the documents of the Ramsar
Convention on Wetlands. It is intended to convey the idea that there
can be a reasonable approach to choosing between using peatlands to
meet people's needs and conserving them for their scientific and
ecological benefits. The term is defined in the book as those uses of
mires and peatlands for which reasonable people now and in the future
will not attribute blame.
There are peatlands in virtually every climatic zone, on all
continents. There are many different types, which are hugely
interesting and useful. They play a major role in wilderness and
landscape, they hold substantial freshwater resources and they are
important carbon sinks and stores of carbon. They are of interest to
scientists for their biodiversity and as unique records of the past. In
many areas they are under threat. The reason they are under threat is
that the peat itself is valuable and useful. The peat can be used for
forestry, for agriculture, for the generation of electricity, as a
growing medium in the horticulture industry and in pollution control.
Virtually all uses of peat require that the peatland be drained, and
once drained, the peatland ceases to exist as a functioning mire
ecosystem.
The book indicates that the loss of mires as a result of human activity has been due to: Agriculture 50% Forestry 30% Peat extraction 10% Housing, roads infrastructure 5% Flooding, reservoirs 3% Indirect losses (erosion, other) 1% Total 100%
Both as virgin mires and as peat, peatlands have a wide range of functions unimagined by most people. As well as setting out a framework for avoiding or resolving conflicts the book contains a great deal of information. Two chapters are a virtual "everything you ever wanted to know about" peatlands and peat.
The book:
The book is essential reading to all those who influence mire
and peatland management; public sector officials, land-use planning
officers, environmental licensing bodies, heritage agencies, grant
authorities, environmental protection groups and commercial companies.
"The challenge is to develop mechanisms that can balance the
conflicting demands on the global peatland heritage to ensure its
continued wise use to meet the needs of humankind."
The framework set out in the book involves two stages of a rational
decision-making process:
Decision in principle: any proposed development of
a mire or peatland can first be judged against a series of questions (a
'decision tree') which establishes the effects of the proposed
development.
Implementation decisions: if the reaction to the
proposed development is then positive the proposal can be considered
against a set of guidance principles (subject to modification depending
on time and place) and can be examined in the light of whether a number
of instruments will be used in relation to the proposed development.
The framework assumes that it will be used reasonably by people respectful of other peoples' points of view.
Download a map of peatland countries and Ramsar Sites with (nonforested) peat as a dominant wetland type (book page 88-89)
Read a book review by Tobias Salathé, Ramsar
"This fundamental clash of values,
basic to many conflicts over peatland, is here teased out in a crash
course on ethics and moral philosophy that is quite as surprising and
welcome as the initial coming together of developers and
conservationists."
Michael Viney, The Irish Times, (03-02-03) read full
review as jpg or as webpage
"It is difficult to do justice to this wonderful book in
a short review. It is inspiring and hopeful. We can only hope that it
comes into the hands of everybody with a responsibility in any area of
peatland management, be that industrial, conservation oriented, or in
the maintenance of environmental integrity. ...This is a book that
deserves to be read over and over ...".
John Feehan in Scéal na
Móna April 2003 read
full review.
Order Information"The Wise Use of Mires and Peatlands - Background and
Principles including a Framework for Decision-making" ISBN
951-97744-8-3, 304 pages, paperback, col photos, figs, tabs. is
available from NHBS at www.nhbs.com Order Code: #136158W
Price is EUR 30 plus postage and packing
IMCG members can order the book for EUR 20 plus postage and packing via
Philippe Julve: philippe.julve@wanadoo.fr
For members from countries with currency problems special arrangements
are made. Please contact Tatiana Minaeva: tminaeva@wwf.ru
