S.A. Käärmelahti (Sannimari)

The agricultural use of drained peatlands contributes significantly to the release of greenhouse gases and nutrients, causing severe environmental degradation. Paludiculture, a sustainable land-use alternative, offers a way to rewet these peatlands while continuing crop production. By restoring water levels, paludiculture helps recover some of the vital ecological functions of peatlands.

My research focuses on several wetland plants with potential for cultivation, including Sphagnum, Typha, and Phragmites species. Cultivating these provides valuable ecosystem services while supplying biomass for various applications.

I am primarily working on optimizing the conditions for successful paludiculture. This involves testing irrigation techniques, evaluating the effects of topsoil removal, improving water quality, reducing emissions, and examining species-specific responses. Additionally, we are investigating optimal harvest times to maximize yield and biomass quality while maintaining ecosystem services.