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In the Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania), mires directly affected by peat extraction cover almost 90,000 ha. Of these, over 26,200 ha have already been extracted and are abandoned. The main aim of this article is to give an overview of the extent of extracted peatlands in the Baltics, the legislative background around the land‐use options, and the directions of after‐use of peatlands since the middle of the 20th century. We also critically review results from restoration of abandoned extracted peatlands and assess whether they are on a trajectory toward reinitiation of paludification and functioning mire ecosystems. Almost all currently existing abandoned extracted peatlands in the Baltics were abandoned during and shortly after the Soviet period (1940–1991) without any restoration measures. The rest of the extracted areas were mostly afforested, converted into agricultural lands, berry plantations, or water bodies. The after‐use was mostly experimental, lacking systematic, proper assessment of outcome, cost and benefits, and side effects. The data are scarce but it could be estimated that only <10% (Estonia and Lithuania) and <20% (Latvia) of the total area of abandoned extracted peatlands were used for some purposes after peat extraction. Recently, several trials aimed at restoring the mire vegetation and ecosystem functions have been started in abandoned extracted peatlands in all three countries. In the coming years, the restoration of extracted peatlands in the Baltics will start on much bigger areas within different projects and initiatives cofinanced by the European Union.

Peatlands are the “kidneys” of river basins. However, intensification of agriculture and forestry in Europe has resulted in the degradation of peatlands and their biodiversity (i.e., species, habitats and processes in ecosystems), thus impairing water retention, nutrient filtration, and carbon capture. Restoration of peatlands requires assessment of patterns and processes, and spatial planning. To support strategic planning of protection, management, and restoration of peatlands, we assessed the conservation status of three peatland types within the trans-border Neman River basin. First, we compiled a spatial peatland database for the two EU and two non-EU countries involved. Second, we performed quantitative and qualitative gap analyses of fens, transitional mires, and raised bogs at national and sub-basin levels. Third, we identified priority areas for local peatland restoration using a local hotspot analysis. Nationally, the gap analysis showed that the protection of peatlands meets the Convention of Biological Diversity’s quantitative target of 17%. However, qualitative targets like representation and peatland qualities were not met in some regional sub-basins. This stresses that restoration of peatlands, especially fens, is required. This study provides an assessment methodology to support sub-basin-level spatial conservation planning that considers both quantitative and qualitative peatland properties. Finally, we highlight the need for developing and validating evidence-based performance targets for peatland patterns and processes and call for peatland restoration guided by social-ecological research and inter-sectoral collaborative governance.

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Jarašius L., Matulevičiūtė D., Pakalnis R., Sendžikaitė J., Lygis V., 2014: Drainage impact on plant cover and hydrology of Aukštumala raised bog (western Lithuania) [Sausinimo įtaka Aukštumalos aukštapelkės hidrologinėms sąlygoms ir augalinei dangai]. -Bot. Lith., 20(2): 109-120.One-third of the former Aukštumala raised bog (western Lithuania) has been preserved as Telmological Reserve since 1995, while the remaining territory is still under active industrial peat mining or are abandoned peat harvesting fields. The present study was carried out in 2013 and aimed to assess long-term human impact on the structure of plant cover and hydrology of Aukštumala raised bog. On the basis of vegetation assessment (Twinspan analysis), four habitat types were identified: i) active raised bog, ii) degraded raised bog drained by ditches, iii) contact zone of the bog and the peat mining fields and iv) recently burnt areas. The largest anthropogenic impact on vegetation cover was found in the degraded raised bog drained by the ditches and in the burnt area, where the proportion of plant species atypical to ombrotrophic raised bogs was the highest. Water electrical conductivity negatively correlated (r = -0.57) with bog water level, whereas correlation between pH and bog water level was weaker (r = -0.38). Water level in the active raised bog was significantly higher than in the rest three habitat types. Electrical conductivity values in the active raised bog were significantly lower compared to the degraded raised bog and burned area habitats. In order to recreate favourable conditions for peat accumulation and natural functioning of bog ecosystem, mean bog water level should be raised at least up to -32 cm (the optimum water level assigned for most of the typical ombrotrophic species fell into the range of -20 --32 cm).