|
CANADIAN PEAT HARVESTING & THE ENVIRONMENT
“In 1990, 749,000 metric tonnes, or about 20,000,000
bales of peat were sold by Canadian producers. This volume
of peat harvested each year is small in comparison to the
estimated 50 million (50,000,000) tonnes or more of peat that
accumulate naturally each year in Canada. On a volume basis,
there are an estimated three trillion (3,000,000,000,000)
cubic metres of peat deposits in Canada.
“Canada’s vast wetland
and peat land resources are gradually being subjected to increased
development pressure. Wetland conservation due to urbanization,
industrial development, and agricultural practices has been
substantial, exceeding 20 million hectares since the early
1800’s. " The need to protect natural resources
and to ensure wise, sustainable use of the environment is
greater today than perhaps at any point in our history. Like
natural resource sectors, the harvesting of peat moss around
the world has attracted the interest of concerned environmental
groups in government and the public.
“At present less than 16,000 hectares of Canada’s
111million hectares of peat lands are being used for peat
or peat moss harvesting. The majority of companies involved
in this industry, through their association with CSPMA (Canadian
Sphagnum Peat Moss Association), have articulated a policy
for environmentally sensitive peat land use and for site restoration
or reclamation after use. "The industry, in association
with government and non-government interests, environmental
groups, and universities are developing a national peat land
research strategy to promote awareness of peat land restoration
technology and restoration. On-going research indicates than
new and many existing site will revert to functioning peat
lands with proper site management during and after use. Other
older sites can also be reclaimed to valued Agricultural,
forestry, or wildlife habitat uses.”
Extracts from a report prepared by David Keys of Maritime
Groundwater Inc. for the Secretariat to the North American
Wetlands Conservation Council (Canada). “Sustaining
Wetlands – Issue Paper, No. 1992-3.”
Copies of this report are available
free of charge from:
Secretariat, North American Wetlands Conservation Council
(Canada), Suite 200, 1750 Courtwood Crescent, Ottawa, Ontario,
Canada K2C 2B5
-or-
Canadian Peat Moss Association, 4 Wycliff Place, St. Albert,
Alberta, Canada T8N 3Y8.
|
| |
