Turvepaikka Turvepaikka
Turvepaikka is an online service providing information about the peat research carried out by the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK), mires and the use of peat. At Turvepaikka you can view peat data, browse peat research reports and review research data by municipality. The service is free of charge.
Peat research at GTK
The surveying of Finland’s peat resources is the responsibility of the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK). GTK has been carrying out peat research since its establishment. Initially, peat research was carried out as part of geological surveys and surveys examining the natural history of mires.
Nowadays, the different uses of the resources are an important consideration when Finland’s peat resources are surveyed. Peat is used for such purposes as energy generation, as horticultural, environmental and bedding peat, in landscape gardening, as an oil absorbent, as insulation material, in textiles and for therapeutic purposes. Surveying is also increasingly used for producing information for such land use purposes as town planning, conservation programmes and building planning. Other types of mire-related research data (such as carbon reservoirs) are also becoming more important.
GTK carries out peat surveying on a systematic basis and the information it generates covers a wide range of fields. Each year the focus is on areas that are relevant from the point of view of peat use.
The work itself is carried out as ground surveys. A survey of a mire also involves the drawing up of a report and the production of maps and cross-sectional profiles. A report on the usability of the mire is also prepared. Consideration is given to the main factors affecting peat production, such as environmental impacts and the importance of the mire from the point of view of natural protection.
The information generated during the survey is put together and entered into GTK’s own peat database. The information stored in the database can be used for producing nationwide summaries and summaries covering individual regions, municipalities and river basins. The research information available covers such areas as mire types, type of peat, peat resources, the physical characteristics of the peat, mires suitable for peat production, the amount and quality of the peat, usable peat resources and any environmental impacts from peat production.
Please send your questions related to peat research to: Kimmo Virtanen, quality coordinator, GTK peat surveys (kimmo.virtanen
gtk.fi)
Peatland surveying and research in the summer of 2011
