Strategy for Responsible Peatland Management · Management. 6 Edition, International Peatland...

transcript

Donal Clarke and Jack Rieley (Ed.) 6th, edited edition

Strategy for Responsible Peatland Management

StrategyforResponsiblePeatlandManagementFirstEditionadoptedataStakeholderSeminarinAmsterdaminOctober2010Sixth,editededitionrevisedbymembersofCommissionsandExpertGroupsoftheInternationalPeatlandSocietyandmanyofitsmembersandstakeholdersin2019Publisher:InternationalPeatlandSocietyNisulankatu78B40720Jyväskylä,Finlandphone:+358404184075email:info@peatlands.orgweb:www.peatlands.orgEditedby:DonalClarkeJackRieleyMembersofIPSExecutiveBoardCoverphoto:DanMeyersPrintedat:Siirtopaino,Jyväskylä,October2019Copyright2019byInternationalPeatlandSociety.AllrightsreservedCitationformat:Clarke,D.&Rieley,J.O.(2019)StrategyforResponsiblePeatlandManagement.6 Edition,InternationalPeatlandSociety,Jyväskylä,Finland.th

ISBN978-952-99401-4-1(Paperback)ISBN978-952-99401-5-8(PDF)

StrategyforResponsiblePeatlandManagement

TABLEOFCONTENTS

SUMMARY

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Extentofpeatlands1.2 Ecologicalimportanceandusesofpeatlandsandpeat

2. OBJECTIVESOFTHESTRATEGY

2.1 Peatlandmanagement

2.2 StructureoftheStrategy2.3 Visionforresponsiblepeatlandmanagement

3. STRATEGICOBJECTIVES

3.1 Biodiversity3.2 Hydrologyandwaterregulation3.3 Climateandclimatechangeprocesses

3.4 Economicactivities

3.5 After-use,rehabilitationandrestoration3.6 Humanandinstitutionalcapacityandinformationdissemination

3.7 Engagementofpeople

3.8 Goodgovernance

4. FOLLOW-UP

5. ACRONYMS

6. GLOSSARY

7. REFERENCES

8. ANNEXES

8.1DevelopmentoftheStrategyforResponsiblePeatlandManagement8.2OrganisationsconsultedorinvolvedinthedevelopmentoftheStrategy

LISTOFFIGURES

Figure1Extentandlocationofglobalmiresandpeatlands(PEATMAP)Figure2GlobalestimateofareasusedfordifferentusesofpeatlandFigure3StructureoftheStrategyforResponsiblePeatlandManagement

StrategyforResponsible1PeatlandManagement

Summary

1)Peatlandsandtheirecologicalandsocialservicesareuniquebiological,environmentalandeconomicresources.

2)TheaimsoftheStrategyforResponsiblePeatlandManagementareto:

• Undertakepeatlandmanagementaccordingtotheprinciplesandwithintheframeworkof‘WiseUseofMiresandPeatlands’1bysafeguardingtheirenvironmental,socialandeconomicfunctionsandrespectingtheirlocal,regionalandglobalservices.

• Ensurethatü highconservationvaluepeatlandsareidentifiedandconserved,ü utilisedpeatlandsaremanagedresponsibly,andü drained,degradedorotherwisechangedpeatlandsarerehabilitatedtoreinstateas

manyecologicalandlandscapefunctionsandservicesaspossible.• Providethoseinvolvedinorresponsibleforpeatlandmanagementwithstrategic

objectivesandactionsforimplementation.

3)Peatlandsareusedandmanagedformanydifferentpurposes.Undrainedpeatlandsarevaluablehabitatsforawiderangeofbiodiversityandecosystemservices,andmanyaremanagedasnaturereserves.Drainedpeatlandsareusedmostlyforagricultureandforestry,butarelativelysmallareaisharvestedtoprovidepeatforenergy,growingmediaandotherproducts.Peatlandsarealsoaffectedindirectlyasaresultofotherlandscapeactivities,forexample,miningandmineralextraction,recreation,reservoirconstruction,urbanisationandwindfarms.4)TheStrategyisdirectedtoeveryoneresponsiblefororinvolvedinthemanagementofpeatlands,orinthepeatsupplychain,andisapplicabletoalltypesofpeatlandundereveryuseorimpact.Itshouldbeappliedineverycountryinwhichthisbiological,hydrologicalandlandscaperesourceoccursorinwhichpeatproductsareprocessedorused.TodelivertheStrategy,peatlandsshouldbemanagedresponsiblybyfocusingonthefollowingpriorityissues.

5)Biodiversity:Pristinepeatlandsareuniquenaturalresourcesformingdistinctecosystemsofimportanceformaintenanceofbiodiversityatgenetic,speciesandhabitatlevels.TheStrategyprovidesguidelinesforpeatlandbiodiversityconservation,accordingtoWiseUseprinciples2andrecommendationsoftheInternationalConventiononBiologicalDiversity(CBD)(1992),tobeincludedinlandscapeplanningandmanagementprocedures.

1 See page 126 of Joosten and Clarke 2002 2 The ‘Guidance Principles’ (section 5.4. of Joosten and Clarke 2002, esp. principles 9-14).

After-useplansforpeatlandsusedforeconomicpurposesshouldincludebestpracticemeasuresfortherehabilitationorrestorationofanoptimalrangeofecosystemandlandscapeservices.

6)Hydrologyandwaterregulation:Peatlandsarewatercatchmentsandregulators.Theymaintainandmodifywaterqualityandquantity,actassinksforsomesubstances(e.g.carbonandwaterandaerialandwaterbornepollutants),produceothers(e.g.dissolvedandparticulateorganicmatter),andinfluencethetemporalpatternofwatersupplytoriversandlakes.Theroleofpeatlandsinwaterregulationdependsonmaintainingorrestoringtheintegrityoftheiruniquehydrology.Managementactivitiesshouldavoidunnecessarydeteriorationinthequalityandquantityofpeatwaterandgroundwaterinthesurroundinglandscape.

Afteruse,peatlandwaterlevelsandflowregimesshouldberestoredtoasclosetothenaturalreferenceconditionsaspossible.

7)Peatlandsandclimatechange:Peatlandsaredependentonclimate,especiallyrainfallandtemperature,fortheirformationandmaintenance.Somepeatlandplantssequestercarbonfromtheatmosphereandstorelargeamountsinpeat.Peatlandsgloballyarethelargestterrestrialstoreofcarbon,exceedingthatoftheworld’sforests.Undercertainconditionspeatlandsmaycontributetoclimatechangeprocessesbyreleasingcarbondioxideormethanetotheatmosphere.Greenhousegasexchangebetweentheatmosphereandpeatlandsexhibitsmuchspatialandtemporalvariationrelatedtodifferencesinclimate,ecology,hydrologyandmanagement.

Peatlandmanagementshouldavoidincreasingand,whereverpossible,reducehuman-inducedgreenhousegasemissionsandprotecttheircarbonstore.

8)Economicactivitiesonpeatland:Peatlandsprovidelivelihoodopportunitiestolocalcommunitiesandnationaleconomies.Theyareasourceoffood,medicines,timber,amenityanddomesticenergyinsomecountries.Peatisamajorconstituentofgrowingmedia,avaluablesoilimproverandisusedinarangeofotherproducts.

Intactpeatlandsprovideeconomicbenefitsthroughenvironmentalservicessuchascarboncapture,waterregulationandbiodiversitymaintenance.

Economicuseofpeatlandsshould

• Avoiddamagingpeatlandsofhighconservationvalueandprioritisetheuseofpeatlandsthathavebeendegradedbyhumanintervention.

• Preventdevelopmentofanypartofpristinepeatlandsbecausethisactivitywillimpactnegativelyontheecohydologicalcharacteroftheentirepeatland.

• Promote,wherepossibletheuseofappropriatepeatsubstitutesingrowingmediaandfornon-essentialusesofpeat.

9)After-use,rehabilitationandrestoration:TheWiseUseofpeatlandsforeconomicpurposesrequiresplannedafter-use,forexample,agriculture,forestry,recreationandwildlifehabitatandbiodiversityprovision(natureconservation).Theexactnatureofafter-usewilllikelybedeterminedbythelandownerinconsultationwiththerelevantplanningauthorityandspecifiedintheplanningconsentandlicensetooperate.Thiswillprobablyrequiresomeformofmitigation,restorationorrehabilitation,andmayinvolverewettingtoraisethewatertable.

Peatlandrestorationshouldaimtoreturndegradedpeatlandstoconditionsinwhichecosystemfunctions(e.g.carbon,energyandnutrientdynamics,decompositionoforganicmatter,

biodiversityandproductionofbiomassandwaterregulation)areascloseaspossibletonaturalconditionswithintheconstraintsofpracticalityandatreasonablecost.After-useplansshouldincludebestpracticemeasuresforrehabilitationorrestorationofanoptimalrangeofecosystemandlandscapeservicesbasedonsoundscience.

10)Humanandinstitutionalcapacityandinformationdissemination:Itisimportanttoincreasetheknowledge,skillsandunderstandingofallstakeholderstopromotetheactionsneededtobringaboutthedesiredresultsofresponsiblepeatlandmanagement.Stakeholders(e.g.governmentadministrations,researchinstitutes,theprivatesector,NGOs,localcommunitiesandindividuals)needtounderstandthevariousissues,respecteachother’sviewsandworktogether.Objectivesshouldincludethe

• Facilitationofinformationdisseminationandcommunicationwithallstakeholders,includinglocalcommunities,individualsandthepublic.

• Promotionofbetterunderstandingofpeatlandenvironmentalfunctionsandecologicalandlandscapeservicesandtheirresponsestoclimatechangeandmanagementoperationsbycollatingandassessingdataondifferenttypesofpeatlandandbysharinginformation.

11)Engagementofpeople:Promotelocalcommunityengagementandparticipationinthedecision-makingandimplementationprocessesinvolvedinpeatlandmanagementtohelplocalpeopleunderstandthekeyissuesandpriorities.

Responsiblepeatlandmanagementwillprovidelivelihoodopportunitiesforlocalpeople,respecttheirrights,heritageandtraditions,andpromotegenderequality.

12)Goodgovernance:‘Goodgovernance’meansresponsiblemanagementofpeatlandsinamannerthatisopen,transparent,accountable,equitableandresponsivetopeople’sneeds.

Regulatoryframeworksandlegislationneedtobeinplaceatinternational,regional,nationalandsub-nationallevelstoensureresponsiblemanagementofpeatlandsandvoluntarymechanisms(forexample,funds,certification,paymentsforecosystemservices)thatcomplementthese.

13)Peatlandplanningandmanagement:shouldbebasedonrigorousandverifiablescientificknowledgeandpracticalexperience.

StrategyforResponsiblePeatlandManagement

1. INTRODUCTION

TheStrategyforResponsible3PeatlandManagement(SRPM)appliescommonlyagreedprinciplesforthe‘WiseUseofPeatlands’4tothemanagementofallpeatlandsandprovidesobjectivesandactionsforimplementation.TheSRPMisdirectedtoeveryoneresponsiblefororinvolvedinthemanagementofpeatlands,orinthepeatsupplychain,andisapplicabletoalltypesofpeatlandundereveryuse.Itshouldbeappliedineverycountryinwhichthisbiological,hydrologicalandlandscaperesourceisfoundorinwhichpeatproductsareprocessedand/orused.‘Use’isemployedinawidesenseandincludesbothconservationandnon-use1.Onaglobalbasis,responsiblemanagementofpeatlandsincludestheconservationofthemajorityofpristineorsemi-naturalpeatlands,mostespeciallythoseofhighconservationvalue.TheSRPMacknowledgesthereareadverseimpactsofmanypeatlandusesandproposesmitigationmeasurestoredressthese,butitdoesnotmakevaluejudgementsregardingdifferentusesofpeatlands.

TheinitiativetodeveloptheSRPMwastakenbytheIPSincollaborationwitharangeofstakeholders.TheStrategywasdevelopedthroughaseriesofmeetingsandconsultationphases,asoutlinedinAnnex1.TheStrategyisaglobaldocumentandprovidesanoverallcontextwithinwhichtodealwithspecificlocal,nationalorregionalissues. Itisapplicabletocertification,conservation,restoration,utilizationandafter-use.Allusesofpeatlandsandpeatrequiretheirownspecificguidelinesforpracticalimplementation.

1.1 ExtentofPeatlands

Peatlandscoveranestimatedareaofmorethan400millionhectaresinsome180countries(Figure1),equivalentto3%oftheEarth’slandsurface.DetailedestimatesoftheextentofpeatlandsaregiveninLappalainen(1996)5andAppendix1toJoostenandClarke2002.

3 Responsible: Different parties have differing opinions on how to apply the term ‘sustainable’ to uses of peatlands. This has led to the use of the terms ‘wise use’ and ‘responsible management’. During consultations leading to the original SRPM (2008-2010) discussions took place on the appropriate term to define the proposed Strategy. Words such a ‘wise use’ and ‘sustainable’ were considered but the consensus was to use the word ‘responsible’. The Wise Use book defines a responsible decision as: “Any decision should consider its effects on other individuals and entities. Decisions at one level should reflect the interests of other levels3”. A responsible approach to managing a peatland is one which acknowledges the effect on other people and ecosystem services, and balances environmental, social and economic priorities. 4 This strategy is inspired by the IMCG/IPS book “The Wise Use of Mires and Peatlands – Background and Principles including a Framework for Decision-making” published in 2002 and referred to in this document as Joosten & Clarke 2002. The terms used in this document rely strongly on commonly accepted definitions and their interpretations used in previous publications, principally those in Joosten & Clarke 2002. Some are explained in the Glossary. Wise Use of peatlands is defined as those uses for which reasonable people, now and in the future, will not attribute blame (Joosten & Clarke, 2002 p 19). 5 Lappalainen, E. (1996) Global Peat Resources, International Peat Society, Jyväskylä, Finland, 359pp

Figure1.GlobalpeatlanddistributionderivedfromPEATMAP6.(ThecolourclassesindicatepercentagepeatlandcoverinCanada,wherethesourcedatawereprovidedasgridcellsratherthanshapefiles;andregionswherepeatlandcoverwasestimatedfromhistosolsofHWSDv1.2.Elsewhere,whereshapefilesarefreelyavailable,individualpeatlandsandpeatcomplexesareshowninsolidblack.) 1.2 EcologicalImportanceandUsesofPeatlandsandPeat

Globally,undrained,naturalpeatlandsarehabitatsforawiderangeofbiodiversityandprovideimportantecosystemservicesthatareofbenefittohumansocieties.

Keypeatlandecosystemservicesincludebiodiversitymaintenance,carbonandwaterstorage,solutedetention,andwaterregulation.Peatlandsaremanagedandusedformanydifferentpurposes,includingnatureconservation(Figure2).

Drainedpeatlandsareusedmostlyforagricultureandforestry7andtoamuchlesserextentareharvestedtoprovidepeatforenergy,growingmediaandchemicalprocesses.

Peatlandsarealso‘used’ormanagedindirectlybecauseofotherlandscapeactivities,forexample,mineralextraction,mining,recreation,reservoirconstruction,urbanisation,andwindfarms.

Historically,peatlandshavefulfilledmanyhumanneedsincludingfood,domesticenergy,houseconstructionmaterial,andlivestockbedding;theyhavecontributedtoarts,culture,music,healthandreligion.

Peatlandsarearchivesofenvironmentalchangeandhumanhistory,containingrecordsofclimate,landscapechangeandpreservingartefactsfrompastsocieties.

6 Xu et al (2018) Catena, 160: 134-140 7 Joosten and Clarke 2002 p33.

Figure2:Globalestimateofareasusedfordifferentusesofpeatland(Basedoninformationfrom:Strack(2008);Pageetal(2011))

(Thisdiagramdoesnotincludetheareaofpeatlandaffectedbyindirectpeatusessuchasfloodingforreservoirconstructionorextractionofmineralsunderneaththepeat.Dataforpeatlandsabandonedaftereconomicusesarenotavailable.Otherspecificuseswhicharenotincludedareconservation(i.e.areaswithaprotectedareastatus),reedculture,tourism,fisheries,andtraditionalusesbyindigenouspeople.“Drainedtropicalpeatlands”includespeatlandsusedforoilpalmandpulpwoodplantations,forestry(includingillegallogging),agriculture,infrastructure,etc.)

Insomepartsoftheworld,theuseofpeatlandhasbeenintensive,alteringcompletelytheecosystemsofmiresandimpactinglandscapes.Inothers,theusehasbeenmoreextensive,ornon-existent,causinglesschangeordamage.MostArcticandSubarcticpeatlandsarestillintact.InEuropepeathasceasedtoaccumulateinover50%oftheformermireareaandalmost20%nolongerexistsaspeatland8.Over50%ofIndonesia’speatswampforestshavebeendeforestedanddrainedforagricultureandplantationssince19809.Approximately80%oftheoriginalareaofbothtropicalandnon-tropicalmiresisstillinlargelypristinecondition(undeveloped)althoughinabout25%ofthispeataccumulationmayhavestoppedbecauseofnaturalprocessesandrecentclimatechange.Itisestimated,therefore,thatpeatisstillactivelyaccumulatingon50%oftheoriginalglobalmirearea5.2 OBJECTIVESOFTHESTRATEGY

TheobjectivesoftheStrategyforResponsiblePeatlandManagement(SRPM)areto:

• Informthoseinvolvedinorresponsibleformanagingpeatlandsofcommonlyacceptedprinciplesforthe‘WiseUseofPeatlands’andactionstoimplementthese.

• Improvepeatlandmanagementwithintheframeworkof‘WiseUseofMiresandPeatlands’1.

8 Joosten and Clarke 2002 9 Hooijer et al. 2005

• Ensurethathighconservationvaluepeatlandsareidentifiedandconserved,‘utilised’peatlandsaremanagedresponsibly;anddrained,degradedorotherwisechangedpeatlandsarerehabilitatedtorestoreasmanyecologicalandlandscapeservicesaspossible.

2.1 PeatlandManagement

Managementinvolvestheorganisation,regulationandadministrationofapeatlandanditsuseforspecifiedpurposes.Managementshouldbeappropriatetothepeatlandtype,useandsocio-economic,cultural,andenvironmentalconditions.2.2 StructureoftheStrategy

TheStrategy(Figure3):

• beginswithavisionstatement(Section2.3);• identifiesstrategicobjectivesforresponsiblemanagementcategorisedintoeight

priorityareasunderthreemajorthemes(‘Importance’,‘Objectives’and‘Actions’)(Section3);

• setsoutspecificactionsforeachprioritytoachievetheobjectives. 2.3 VisionforResponsiblePeatlandManagement

Peatlandsareuniquebiological,ecological,societalandeconomicresources.Thevisionforresponsiblepeatlandmanagementis:

PromotingWiseUseofpeatlandsthroughsafeguardingtheirenvironmental,socialandeconomicfunctionsandrespectingtheirlocal,regionalandglobalvalues.

Figure3:StructureoftheStrategyforResponsiblePeatlandManagement

Vision

Priority Issues

Monitoring the performance

Eight priorities

Vision

Priority Issues

Vision

Priority Issues

Vision

Priority Issues

Strategic Objectives for each priority

Three themes

Actions to deliver objectives

Monitoring performance

3 STRATEGICOBJECTIVES

Todeliverthevision,peatlandsmustbemanagedinaccordancewithstrategicobjectives.Theseobjectivesaregroupedintoeightpriorities,underthreemajorthemes10,asfollows:Ecologicalservicesprovidedbypeatlands:

• Biodiversitymaintenance• HydrologyandWaterregulation• Climatestabilisationandclimatechangemitigation

Activitiesrelatedtopeatlands:• Socio-Economic• After-use:rehabilitation,restorationandothermanagementactivities.

MeansofpromotingWiseUse:• Humanandinstitutionalcapacity,educationandinformationdissemination• Engagementofpeople• Goodgovernance

Undereachpriorityan‘introduction’explainswhyithasbeenselected;the‘objectives’indicatehowitshouldbeaddressed;andthe‘actions’outlinehowresponsiblemanagementcanbeachieved.3.1Biodiversity

3.1.1 Importanceofpeatlandsforbiodiversity

Peatlandsareuniquebiologicalresourcesformingdistinctecosystemsoflocal,national,regionalandglobalimportanceforbiodiversitymaintenanceatgenetic,speciesandhabitatlevels.Theycontainspeciesthatarefoundonlyormainlyinpeatlandsandarehometosomeoftherarestspeciesofplantsandanimalsmanyofwhicharehighlyadaptedtothespecificpeatlandenvironmentalconditions.Therearemanydifferentpeatlandtypes11globallywithgreatvariationinbiodiversitybetweenthem.Forexample,tropicalpeatlandsareamongstthemostbiodiverseecosystemsontheplanet.TheimportanceofhabitatandbiodiversitymanagementandtheprotectionofecologicalfunctionsandservicesprocessesarerecognisedinternationallythroughtheConventiononBiologicalDiversity(CBD)1992.

3.1.2 Objectives

Peatlandmanagementshould:

1. Maintain,throughgovernmentlegislationandconservationdesignationsandactions,thebiodiversityandnaturalresourcefunctionsofrepresentativeexamplesofimportantmiretypesandsemi-naturalpeatlandecosystems.

2. Recognisetheimportanceofpeatlandsasimportantreservoirsofbiodiversity,andecosystemservicesatthelandscapelevelandintegratethemwithinlanduseplanningandmanagementprocedures.

10 These headings were identified from stakeholder discussions. The order in which they are listed does not imply their relative importance. 11 Joosten and Clarke 2002 pp25-31

3. Includeactionstosafeguardpeatlandecosystemfunctionswhenplanningandimplementingmanagementinterventionsforspecificsites.

4. Includebiodiversityprotectionandenhancementinafter-useplansforpeatlandsusedforpeatextraction,forestry,agricultureandotheruses.

5. Takeactionstomaintainand/orenhancebiodiversityondrained,cut-overanddegradedpeatlandsthroughappropriateplannedmanagementduringandafteruse.

6. Maintainasmuchpeatlandbiodiversityaspossibleinareasadjacenttothosewherepeatlandsmaybelostforever(e.g.floodingforhydro-electricitygeneration,watersupply,urbanisationorremovalofthepeatforsub-surfacemineralextraction).

3.1.3 Actions

Itisrecommendedto:

• FormulateguidelinesforpeatlandbiodiversityconservationaccordingtoWiseUseprinciples12andrecommendationsoftheInternationalConventiononBiologicalDiversity(CBD)(1992).

• Review,synthesiseandintegratewhereappropriateavailablelocalknowledgeandnationalandinternationalresearchfindingsanddataonbiodiversityofpeatlands.

• Specifyinmanagementplansreferringtotheprotectionorconservationofpeatlands,activitiesnecessarytoensureongoingmaintenanceandenhancementofbiodiversityandecosystemfunctionsandconsidertheecologicallyandhydrologicallylinkedsurroundings.

• Monitorpeatlandbiodiversityregularlytoprovidefeedbackonchangesinrelationtobaselinevaluesandinformationforimprovingmanagementdecisions.

• Includeguidelinesforafter-usethatemploybestpracticemeasuresfortherestorationofanoptimalrangeofbiodiversityandecosystemserviceswhenplanningfortherehabilitationorrestorationofpeatlandsdrainedforeconomicuses(seeSection4.5).

• Supportthecompilationof“Red”listsofpeatlandsofhighconservationvaluewhichareendangeredandshouldbereservedforconservation.

3.2 HydrologyandWaterRegulation

3.2.1 ImportanceofpeatlandsinpeatlandandlandscapehydrologyTheroleofpeatlandsinwaterregulationdependsonmaintainingtheintegrityoftheiruniquehydrologythatmaybeindependentofbutlinkedtothehydrologyoftheadjacentpeatlandandthewiderlandscape.Peatlandsmodifywaterqualityandquantity,actassinksforsomesubstancesandsourcesofothersandinfluencethetemporalpatternofwaterdeliverytoriversandlakes.Thus,theextentandconditionofpeatlandwithinariverbasininfluencesthehabitatconditionsforaquaticbiotaandtheecologicalstatusofwaterbodies.Dependingontheirpositionwithinthehydrologicalandlandscapesystem,manypeatlandsalsoprovide‘unseen’waterregulationfunctionswithconsiderabledirectvaluetohumansociety.Exceptunderextremeweatherconditions,headwaterpeatlandsreceivewaterfromrainfallandreleaseit

12 The ‘Guidance Principles’ (section 5.4. of Joosten and Clarke 2002, esp. principles 9-14).

graduallywithbeneficialeffectsonriverflowsdownstream.Peatlandssituatedinlowerpartsofriverbasinsactastransitionareasforwater,providingtemporarystorageforbothrainfallandrunoff,smoothingflowregimesovertime.Peatlandslocatedonfloodplainscanattenuatefloodpeaksofwatermovingdownrivertherebyprovidingnaturalfloodprotectiontodownstreamhumansettlements.3.2.2 Objectives

Peatlandmanagementactivitiesthatinfluencethelevel,quantityandqualityofwaterbothonsiteandinthesurroundinglandscapeshould:

1. Keeporrestorewaterlevelsandflowregimesasclosetothenaturalreferenceconditionsaspossible.

2. Carryoutdrainageandothermanagementpracticesonlytotheextentrequiredandavoidunnecessarydeteriorationinthequalityandquantityofgroundandsurfacewaters.

3. Ensurethatimpactsoflong-termdrainage,peatremovaland/orsubsidencemanagementactivitieswillbelimitedtoanextentthathydrologicalmanagementcanbeimplementedinacost-effectivewayaspartofanafter-usestrategy.

3.2.3 Actions

Itisrecommendedthat:

• Drainageofpeatlandconsiderstheimportanceofwaterquality,quantityandflowdynamicsinthepeatlanditselfandinadjacentanddownstreamlocations.

• Watermanagementonpeatlandsisbasedonbestavailableknowledgeandtechniquesandcarriedoutaccordingtointernationalconventionsandregionalandnationallegislationandpriorities.

• Effectivefloodandsedimentcontrolarepartofalldrainageactivities.

• Waterqualityandquantitystandardsaremeasuredagainst,andsetintermsof,baselinesofrecognisedstandardsonsiteandinsurroundingareas.

• Theminimumdrainagenecessarytoenablecurrentandfuturelanduseandmaintenanceareimplemented.

• Peatlandusedoesnotresultinthecreationofvastlydifferentsurfacelevelsthatwouldmakehydrologicalrestorationdifficulttoachieveinacost-effectiveway.

• Regularre-evaluationiscarriedouttoensurethatbestwatermanagementoutcomesareachieved,usingup-to-datepracticesandbasedontheresultsofcontinuingwaterquality,quantityandcatchmentmonitoring.

3.3 Climateandclimatechangeprocesses

3.3.1 RoleofpeatlandsinclimatechangeprocessesPeatlandsaredependentonclimate,includingrainfallandtemperature,fortheirformationandmaintenance.Greenhousegasexchangebetweentheatmosphereandpeatlandsexhibitsmuchspatialandtemporalvariationrelatedtodifferencesinclimate,hydrologyandmanagement.Miressequestercarbondioxidefromtheatmosphereandpeatlandshavebeenmajorglobalcarbonstoresformillennia.PeatlandsalsoemitCO2andCH4,theamountsofwhichareinfluencedbylanduse,temperature,andwaterlevel;thelattertwofactorsarelikelytobeaffectedbyremovalofvegetation,drainage,fireandfutureclimatechange.Peatlandsdrainedforagricultureandforestryemitsubstantialamountsofcarbondioxideand,inthecaseoftheformer,alsonitrousoxide(N2O).PeatlandunderextractionreleasesrelativelysmallamountsofCO2comparedtopeatlandusedforagricultureorforestry.However,carboninpeatextractedneedstobeaccountedfor.Appropriatemanagementcanprotectthecarbonstoreinpeatlandsandsuitableafter-usemethods,deployingre-wettingandre-vegetatingcandecreasenetgreenhousegasemissionsandcreateconditionsforfuturecarbonsequestrationandpeatformationalthoughmethaneemissionsmayincreaseforatime.Theimpactsofpeatlandsandtheirmanagementonclimatechangeandviceversaarenotfullyunderstood,butithasrecentlybecomeclearthatthedegradationofpeatlandsiscontributingtoglobalgreenhousegasemissions.

3.3.2 Objectives

Peatlandmanagementshouldavoidincreasingand,whereverpossible,reducehuman-inducedgreenhousegasemissionsfrompeatlandsandprotecttheircarbonstoresthrough:

1. Planningandadoptingmanagementstrategies,regimesandtechnologiesthatprotectcarbonstoresandminimisegreenhousegasemissionsfrompeatlands.

2. Planningandimplementingpeatlandmanagementandafter-useactionsthatachieve

lowergreenhousegasemissionsthanfromcurrentorprevioususeandincreasethepotentialforgreenhousegassequestration.

3. Preventingunnecessary13andillegalexpansionofpeatlandutilisation.

4. Monitoringcarbonstoresandgreenhousegasemissionsfrompeatlandsinorderto

obtaininformationontheimpactsofdifferentmanagementregimesandpromote‘bestpractice’.

5. Ensuringthatcarbonaccountingofpeatlandsisincludedinpeatlandmanagement

planning.

6. Obtainingfurtherinformationontheimpactofpeatlandmanagementonclimatechangeprocessesandviceversa.

13 Joosten and Clarke 2002 §5.6.5 (2) p135.

3.3.3 ActionsItisrecommendedthat:

• Themostrecentscientificinformationongreenhousegasfluxesshouldbeconsideredintheformulationofpeatlandmanagementplans.

• Thecarbonstoresandcarbonsequestrationfunctionsofpeatlandsshouldbeprotectedand conserved in accordancewith the requirements of international conventions andregional and national statutory requirements and management plans should includemitigation measures to maximise peat carbon stores and minimize greenhouse gasemissions.

• Peatlandmanagersshouldcarryoutcarbon‘lifecycle’analyses,orworkwithscientiststoobtainthem,andusethisinformationwhendesigningmanagementactivities.

• Peatlandafter-useshouldhavelowCO2emissionratesandincreasedcarbonsequestrationpotential,consideringthelongtimescalerequiredforsequestrationandtheotherservicesprovidedbypeatlands.

• Scientificinformation,awarenessandunderstandingoftherelationshipbetweenpeatlandsandclimatechangeshouldbeincreasedandrelevantknowledgecontributedtoresponsiblemanagementplanningthrough:

- providingaccessibleinformationontheimportanceofpeatlandmanagementinrelationtoclimatechangetopublic,corporateandgovernmentdecisionmakers

- encouragingtheresearchcommunitytoprovideclearscience-basedinformationontheirfindings

• Thepotentialofpeatlandrehabilitation(rewetting)andotherafter-useactivitiesforreducingemissionsfrompeatlanddegradation(e.g.mitigationactions)mustbeinvestigatedtocompensateforcarbonemittedelsewhere(e.g.inthepeatland-basedandpeat-basedindustry,agricultureandforestry).Carbonoffsetscouldbeameansforthepeat-basedandpeatland-basedindustriestoreducethecarbonfootprintoftheirproducts.

3.4 EconomicActivities

3.4.1 ReasonsforeconomicactivitiesPeatlands,inadditiontoundertakingimportantecosystemfunctionsandprovidingecosystemservices,arevaluableeconomicresourcesinmanycountrieswheretheyhavebeenusedandvaluedforcenturiesfordifferentpurposes.Theyhavebeenasourceoffuel,foodandrefugetolocalcommunitieswhereaccessible.Whererelativelyinaccessiblealargeproportionhaveremainedintact.Significantchangeshavetakenplaceintheusesofpeatlandsduringthelastcentury.Increaseddemandforregionaldevelopment,housing,energy,forestry,horticultureandagriculturehavebeenamongthecausesofthesechanges.Peatlandsprovidelivelihoodopportunitiesandwelfaretolocalcommunitiesandareasourceofdomesticenergyinsomecountries.Peatisamajorconstituentofgrowingmediaworldwide,avaluablesoilimproverandisusedinotherpracticesandproducts,includingforhumanhealth.

3.4.2 Objectives

Peatlandmanagementforeconomicpurposes14should:

1. Prioritisedegradedpeatlandsandavoiddevelopmentofallorpartsofpeatlandsofhighconservationvalue(fortheirbiodiversityorecosystemservices).

2. Recognisetheeconomicbenefitsprovidedbylargelyintactpeatlandsthroughenvironmentalservicessuchascarboncapture,waterregulationandbiodiversitymaintenance.

3. Adoptplanningproceduresforeconomicusesofpeatlandsthatconsidertheinterestsandincorporatetheviewsofallstakeholdersequitablyandareinaccordancewithrelevantinternationallegislationandconventions,nationallawsandregulationsandreflecttheWiseUseprinciplessetoutbyJoosten&Clarke2002.

4. Proposalsforpeatlandafter-use(seeSection3.5)shouldbemandatoryintheinitialplanningstageforeconomicuseandprovidenotonlyspecificationsoftheworkprogrammebutalsofinancialprovisiontoenablethistobecarriedout,monitored,andmaintained.

5. Economicactivitiesondegradedpeatlandsshouldavoidnegativeimpactsonhydrologicallyorecologicallylinkedpristinepeatlandsorpeatlandsthatareofhighconservationvalue.

6. Consideruseofdegradedpeatlandstoproducetimberoragriculturalcropsandlivestockproductiononlywhentheseareeconomicallyviableandsociallynecessaryandifappropriateandeffectivemitigationofadverseimpactswillbeundertaken.

7. Consideruseofpeatandpeatlands15forenergygenerationwhenitcanbederivedfromdegradedpeatlandsandwhereitisanecessarypartofdomesticenergypolicy,increasestheefficiencyofburningrenewablesorprovidesacrucialelementinregionaldevelopment.

8. Consideruseofpeatforhorticulture,beddingandotherpurposes(forexample,medicalandhealthproducts,andactivatedcarbon)whenitcanbederivedfromdegradedpeatlandsandprocessedinanefficientmannerthatachieveshighqualityoutputsandminimisesnegativeimpactsontheenvironment.

9. Strivetodevelopsuitablereplacementconstituents(inpartorinwhole)forpeatingrowingmediaandforotherusesofpeat.

10. Avoiddeforestationanddrainageoftropicalpeatlandsforagriculture,infrastructureorplantations.

14 Although some specific economic uses are listed in this section, the objectives should be implemented in relation to all economic uses of peatlands (see Joosten and Clarke 2002 pp48-72) 15 Peatland can be used for energy generation even if peat is not a fuel, for example, flooding for hydroelectric schemes, excavation for mineral extraction (e.g. tar sand in Canada), and installation of wind farms.

3.4.3 ActionsIfnotregulatedbynationallaw,itisrecommendedto:

• Carryoutenvironmentalandsocialimpactassessmentsattheplanningstageofeconomicuseanditshouldbearequirementofthoseresponsiblefordevelopingandmanagingpeatlandsto:

- Commissionandpayforenvironmentalandsocialimpactassessments,includingoff-siteimpactsoftheactivityproportionatetothesizeoftheareaandtheimpactofthedevelopment.

- Preparecomprehensiveplansforpeatlandutilisationincludingafter-use.- Selectpeatlandsforfuturecommercialutilisationthathavealreadybeen

drainedorinotherwaysdegraded.- Applybestavailablepractices,notentailingexcessivecost16,tominimise

negativeenvironmentalimpactsandincreaseeconomicefficiency.- Undertakeconsultationwithkeystakeholders.- Ensureconsiderationofbothshort-andlong-termimpacts.

• Ensuretheuseofpeatandpeatlandsforenergyandheatgenerationonlytakesplaceinareas/regionswhereitisanecessarypartofthelocalenergysupplyandwheretheuseofpeatismosteconomicallyand/orsociallybeneficial.

• Ensuretheuseofpeatinhorticultureandotherapplicationsisbasedonitssuitability

forthepurposeintendedandisusedonlywhenothertechnically,economicallyandenvironmentallysuitablealternativesareunavailable.

• Promoteresearchonthedevelopmentofalternativeandcomplementarygrowing

mediaconstituentsincludingcultivationofSphagnum(peatmoss).

• Ensuretheuseofpeatlandsforagriculture(includingpaludiculture),forestry(includingplantations),recreationandotherpurposesisinaccordancewithWiseUseprinciplesandcontainedinaplanforresponsiblemanagementandafter-use.

• Reviewtheprofitabilityorproductivityofagricultureandforestryonpeatlandsand

considermoreenvironmentallyappropriatealternativeuses.

• Supportestablishmentandimplementationofindependentcertificationsystems(forexample,thecertificationsystems‘ResponsiblyProducedPeat’(RPP)andtheVerifloracertificationsystem)toprovideevidenceofresponsiblemanagementofpeatlandstosatisfymarketdemandforproductsandservicesoriginatingfromresponsiblymanagedpeatlands.

16 BATNEEC - Best Available Technology Not Entailing Excessive Cost

3.5 After-use,rehabilitationandrestoration3.5.1 Importanceofplanningforafter-useTheWiseUseofpeatlandsforeconomicpurposesrequiresplannedafter-useandfundingtoimplementit.Therearedifferentoptionsforafter-useofpeatlandsfollowingeconomicuse,includingagriculture,forestry,paludiculture,recreationandwildlifehabitatandbiodiversityprovision(natureconservation).Thespecificafter-usechosenwilllikelybedeterminedbytherelevantplanningauthorityandspecifiedintheplanningconsentandlicensetooperate.

Peatlandsusedfornatureconservationmayalsorequirerehabilitationmeasurestorestorethemtoaconditioninwhichtheycansupportmaximumbiodiversityandreducenetgreenhousegasemissions.Somedegradedpeatlands,especiallyinEurope,weredrainedcenturiesagoforagriculture(uplandgrazing),animalbedding(lowlandraisedbogs),watersupply(fillingreservoirs)andgamesports(grouseshooting).Someoftheseactivitiesalsoincludedburningaspartofmanagement.ThesepeatlandsemitlargequantitiesofCO2andmanyarebeingrewettedtoreducetheseemissions.

Thechoicessuitableforafter-usewilldependonpeatlandtypeandformermanagementaswellastheconditionofthe‘used’peatland.Intermsofafter-useoptions,peatlandsmaybemanagedtoprotecttheircarbonandwaterstoresbymaintaininghighwatertablesatornearthesurface.Meadowsonpeatlandcanbere-wettedafterlong-termagriculturaluseascanforestlandafterdeforestation.Re-wettingandrevegetatingwithindigenousspeciescanalsobeachievedintropicalpeatlandsafterdeforestation,drainageorfire.Plannedafter-useshouldbeanintegralpartofmineralextractionbeneathpeatlandswhichcausesdegradationoftheoverlyingpeatlandecosystem(forexample,tarsandsoilextractioninCanada).

3.5.2 Objectives

1. Peatlandrehabilitationorrestorationshouldreturndegradedpeatlandstoconditionsin

whichecosystemfunctionsareascloseaspossibletonaturalconditionswithintheconstraintsofpracticalityandatreasonablecost.

2. Efficientproceduresshouldbeadoptedtoensurethatpeatlandsarenotabandonedina

degradedstatewhentheireconomicuseceases.Proceduresmayinclude,forexample,obligationstoimplementrehabilitation,restorationorotherafter-useplans,includingcontingencyprovisions.

3. Preventfurtherdrainageanddegradationofabandonedpeatlandsandtargetthemforrestorationwitheithergovernmentinitiativesorasgovernmentprojectswithindustrysupport.

3.5.3 ActionsItisrecommendedto:

• Preparemandatoryafter-useplansduringtheinitialplanningprocessofpeatlandmanagementandinenoughtimeforawiderangeofopinionsandoptionstobeincorporated.

• Identifythepartiesthatwillberesponsiblefortheimplementationofafter-useplansduringtheplanningprocessandensuretheyhaveaccesstotherequiredfinancialresourcestoachievesuccess.

• Ensurethatwhenpeatlanduseceasesthelandscapeconditionsaresuitableforrestorationandafter-use.

• Usethelatestscientificknowledgeofpeatlandecosystemfunctionstoderiveacceptableandtestedafter-usemanagementpracticesfortherestorationofpeatlands.

• Considerstakeholderviewsontheafter-useofpeatlandsaswellaslocalpeatlandownershipissuesinordertohelpensurethesustainabilityofthemeasurestaken.

• Monitorandreviewtheimplementationofafter-useprogrammesoverarealistictimescaleandmodifyproceduresifobjectivesarenotbeingrealised;consultstakeholdersontheireffectiveness,consideringlandownershipissuesandtraditionalrights.

3.6 HumanandInstitutionalCapacityandInformationDissemination3.6.1 ImportanceofdisseminatinginformationamongstakeholdersandthepublicForthesuccessfuladoptionandimplementationoftheSRPM,stakeholders(e.g.governmentadministrations,researchinstitutes,theprivatesector,NGOs,localcommunitiesandindividuals)needtounderstandthevariousissues,respecteachother’sviewsandworktogether.Topromotethis,education,trainingandinformationdisseminationarerequiredthatfocusontheobjectivesandactionsoftheStrategy.Itisimportanttoincreasetheknowledge,skillsandunderstandingofallstakeholdersandtopromotetheconsensusneededtobringaboutthedesiredresultsofresponsiblemanagement.

3.6.2 Objectives

1. Improvetheknowledgeandexpertiseonpeatlandsofallstakeholdersinvolvedintheirmanagementandfacilitateinformationdisseminationandcommunicationwithotherstakeholders,includinglocalcommunities,individualsandthepublic.

2. Promotebetterunderstandingofpeatlandfunctionsandtheirresponsestoclimatechangeandmanagementoperationsbycollating,assessingandsummarisingdataondifferenttypesofpeatlandpracticesandbysharinginformation17.

3. Promotebetterunderstandingofthecultural,archaeologicalandpalaeoecologicalvalueofpeatlands.

17 E.g. databases and meetings

• Investineducation,trainingandinformationdisseminationon:- Peatlandmanagementplans- Environmental,socialandeconomicimpactsandvaluesofpeatlandmanagement

andpeat-basedproducts- Peatlandbiodiversity,habitatsandnaturalresourcefunctions- Peatlandconservation- Interactionsbetweengreenhousegasemissionsandpeatlandmanagement- Rehabilitation,restorationandafter-usemanagement.

• Sharebestpracticeinformationandexpertiseamongststakeholdersinvolvedin

peatlandmanagement,includingconservationorganisationsandthepeatindustry,forexample,viatheInternet.

• Supportprovisionofinstitutionaltrainingfacilitiestoprovidespecificprogrammes

focusedonpeatlandsasanaturalresourcecomparabletocurrentprovisionsforforestry,fishandwildlife.

• Involvestakeholdersinawarenessraisingactivities.

3.7 EngagementofPeople3.7.1 ImportanceofunderstandingkeyissuesThegoaloflocalcommunityengagementinthedecision-makingandimplementationprocessesinvolvedinpeatlandmanagementistoprovideasenseofparticipationandownershipwhichinturnhelpslocalpeopleunderstandthekeyissuesandpriorities.Asaresult,otherstakeholders,especiallyprivatesectorandgovernmentagencies,willdiscover,understandandappreciatebetter,localknowledge,viewpoints,skillsandpractices.3.7.2 Objectives

Responsiblepeatlandmanagementwillimprovelocaleconomiesandmaychangeenvironmentalandsocialstructures.Inallpeatlandmanagementtheobjectivesshouldbeto:

1. Promotelivelihoodopportunitiesforlocalpeople,respecttheirrights,heritageandtraditions,andconsidergenderissues.

2. Respectandimplementtheprincipleoffree,informedandpriorconsent.

3. Provide:- informationonpeatlandmanagementtolandownersandlocalpeople- encouragementtolandownersandlocalpeopletoundertakeresponsible

managementofpeatlandsintheirownershipandabidebycommonlawandrespecttraditionalrights.

4. Holdmeetingswithlocalcommunitiesandpeopletodiscusshowtheycancontributetotheimplementationofresponsiblepeatlandmanagement.

5. Encouragetheprovisionofsocietalbenefitsincludingculture,educationandrecreation.

1. Integratepeatlandmanagementintothelargercontextoflandscape-andcommunity-basedlanduseplanningandshowhow:

- Stakeholders18cancontributetothedecisionmakingandimplementationprocesses.

- Managerscanprovidestakeholderswithopportunitiestocontributetotheplanningandmanagementprocessesunderexistingframeworksforlanduseplanningintheregionandstrivetoimprovethese.

• Applyopenandtransparentplanningandmanagementprocedures,including

disseminationofinformation,earlyintheplanningprocessandstressthesignificanceofpeatlandstolocalpeopleandtheimportanceofconsideringandincludingtheirviews.

• Considerpossiblealternativesforpeatlandafter-usethatprovidethebestpossible

advantagesforlocalpeopleandtheenvironment.

3.8 GoodGovernance193.8.1 Importanceofgoodgovernanceandlawenforcement‘Governance’istheexerciseofpowerorauthority–political,economic,administrativeorotherwise–tomanageresourcesandaffairs.Itcomprisesthemechanisms,processesandinstitutionsthroughwhichstakeholdersandindividualsarticulatetheirinterests,exercisetheirlegalrights,meettheirobligationsandreconciletheirdifferences.‘Goodgovernance’meanscompetentmanagementofaresourceandaffairsinamannerthatisopen,transparent,accountable,equitableandresponsivetopeople’sneeds.Goodgovernanceandlawenforcementcontributetoresponsiblemanagementofpeatlandnaturalresources.

3.8.2 ObjectivesObjectivesforthegoodgovernanceofpeatlandmanagementshouldincludethefollowing:

1. Regulatoryframeworksandlegislationatinternational,regional,nationalandsub-nationallevelstoensureresponsiblemanagementofpeatlands.

2. PoliciesonpeatlandmanagementthatfollowtheprinciplesofWiseUse,including,forexample,transparentandopenprocessesfordecisionmaking.

3. Peatlandplanningandmanagementbasedonsoundscientificknowledge.

18 Stakeholders include landowners and land users, indigenous and other local people, and others who are interested in or affected by peatland management. See definition 27 in the Glossary. 19 See definition 10 in the Glossary.

4. Voluntarymechanisms(forexample,funds,certification,paymentsforecosystemservices)thatcomplementlegislation,regulatoryframeworksandstatementsofresponsiblemanagementprinciplesinrelevantinternationalagreements.

5. Principles, criteria, or guidance that provide greatest guarantee for maintainingbiodiversity, peatland ecosystem services and social/cultural values if the actionsproposed in the SRPM overlap with those of other voluntary mechanisms ofindustry/sectorsinvolvedinpeatlanduse(e.g.RoundTableonSustainablePalmOil).

6. Guidanceonprotectingman-madeartefactspreservedinpeatlands.

3.8.3 Actions

Itisrecommendedthat:

• Governmentsprovideupdatedlegislationgoverningpeatlandsandenforceitappropriately.

• Peatlandmanagersactinaccordancewithnationallegislation,internationalagreements

andWiseUseprinciplesineachcountryofoperation.

4. FOLLOW-UP

1. ThepartiestothisStrategyforResponsiblePeatlandManagementarethosewho

indicatetheiradherencetoit.Theyundertaketooperateinaccordancewithitsobjectivesandactions,believingthatthisStrategyprovidesaviableframeworkwithinwhichtheWiseUseofpeatlandscanbeimplementedandimproved.PartiesthatdonothaveresponsibilityformanagingpeatlandsshouldacceptthattheprovisionsoftheSRPMareappropriatetothemiftheyprocess,distribute,sellorregulatepeat-containingproducts.PartiesthathaveresponsibilityforpeatlandmanagementandthesupplychainshouldincorporatetheprovisionsoftheSRPMintotheirownpeatlandmanagementactivitiesandplans.ThepartiesthatsupportthisStrategyundertaketoimprovetheirpeatlandmanagementinaccordancewithit.

2. TheStrategyhasbeendevelopedasastand-aloneinstrumentandshouldbeusedto

improvestandardsofpeatlandmanagementandtoincreaseknowledgeofgoodpeatlandmanagementamonggovernments,regulatorybodiesandpeatlandmanagers.

3. ImplementationoftheStrategyistheresponsibilityofthestakeholdersnamedinAnnex

2whocontributedtoitsdevelopment.TheStrategywillbedistributedbytheIPStothesestakeholdersandtootherinternational,regionalandnationalgovernmentalandnon-governmentalorganisationsandotherappropriatebodiesandindividuals.

4. TheIPSwillconvenemeetingsof,ororganiseaconsultationprocessinvolving,the

stakeholderstotheStrategyeveryfouryearstoreviewhowithasbeenimplementedandifitshouldbefurtherrevised.AreportshallbegivenbytheIPSSecretaryGeneraltotheGeneralAssemblyofMembersatthesubsequentQuadrennialInternationalPeatlandCongress.

5. ACRONYMS

AISBL: Internationalnon-profitorganisation

BATNEEC: Bestavailabletechnologynotentailingexcessivecost

CBD: ConventiononBiologicalDiversity

CH4: Methane

CO2: Carbondioxide

CSPMA: CanadianSphagnumPeatMossAssociation

EPAGMA: EuropeanPeatandGrowingMediaAssociation.IthassubsequentlyseparateditsactivitiesintoEnergyPeatEurope(EPE)andGrowingMediaEuropeAISBL(GME).

EPE: EnergyPeatEurope

GHG: Greenhousegas

GME: GrowingMediaEurope

IMCG: InternationalMireConservationGroup

IPS: InternationalPeatlandSociety:TheIPSisaninternational,non-governmentalandnon-profitorganizationwithapproximately1,400membersfrom39countries.Itisdedicatedtofosteringtheadvancement,exchangeandcommunicationofscientific,technicalandsocialknowledgeandunderstandingforthewiseuseofpeatlandsandpeat.Furtherinformationisavailableatwww.peatlands.org

MEA: MillenniumEcosystemAssessmentframework

NGO: Non-governmentalOrganisation

N2O: Nitrousoxide

SRPM: StrategyforResponsiblePeatlandManagement

UNFCCC: UnitedNationsFrameworkConventiononClimateChange

6. GLOSSARY

1.After-useofpeatland:Theplannedrehabilitation,restorationorconversionofapeatlandfollowingdrainageforeconomicuse.After-usemayincluderestorationofpeatlandecosystemfunctionsincludingbiodiversity,rehabilitationofpeatlandprocessesand/orservicesorchangingthemanagementofapeatlandforotherpurposes,e.g.agriculture,forestry,bird-watchingareas,angling,naturewalksorconstructiondevelopment.2.Biodiversity:Thevariabilityoflivingorganismsfromallsourcesincluding,interalia,terrestrial,marineandotheraquaticecosystemsandtheecologicalcomplexesofwhichtheyarepart;thisincludesdiversitywithinspecies,betweenspeciesandadherentecosystems.SynonymtoBiologicaldiversity.(Source:UnitedNationsConventiononBiologicalDiversity(1992)).3.Certification:Anattestationbyanindependentbodythataproductorprocessmeetsspecifiedcriteria:thesystemwherebysuchastatementisaudited,verifiedandcommunicated.Inthecaseofpeatlandscertificationwouldgiveassurancethatapeatlandwasmanagedtomeetthesocial,economicandecologicalneedsofpresentandfuturegenerationsandthatproductsorservicesoriginatingfromthepeatlandalsometthoseneeds.4.Conservation:Theactofkeepingsomethingentire,keepingunchanged,preservationfromloss.Usedinthesenseofadeliberateorpoliticaldecisiontopreserve.(CfJoostenandClarke2002p164.)5.Degradedpeatland:Apeatlandwhichhadlostitsoriginalfunctions,whosepeat-formingand/orecosystemfunctionshavebeendamagedordestroyed.(AfterJoostenandClarke2002p165.)6.Ecology:(a)Thescienceoftherelationshipsbetweenorganismsandtheirenvironments;(b)therelationshipbetweenorganismsandtheirenvironment.(JoostenandClarke2002p165.)7.Economicuse:Anyuseofapeatlandwhichcontributestoeconomicbenefits.(AfterJoostenandClarke2002p165.)8.Ecosystemservices:servicesprovidedbythenaturalenvironmentthatbenefitpeople.Thesebenefitsinclude:

• Resourcesforbasicsurvival,suchascleanairandwater;• Acontributiontogoodphysicalandmentalhealth,forexamplethroughaccesstogreen

spaces,bothurbanandrural,andgeneticresourcesformedicines;• Protectionfromhazards,throughtheregulationofourclimateandwatercycle;• Supportforastrongandhealthyeconomy,throughrawmaterialsforindustryand

agriculture,orthroughtourismandrecreation;and

Social,culturalandeducationalbenefits,andwellbeingandinspirationfrominteractionwithnature.Whilethereisnosingle,agreedmethodofcategorisingallecosystemservices,theMillenniumEcosystemAssessmentMEA)frameworkiswidelyacceptedandisseenasausefulstarting

point.TheMEAidentifiesfourbroadcategoriesofecosystemservicewhichallleadtodifferentbenefits:

• Provisioningservices:weobtainproductsfromecosystemssuchasfood,fibremedicines

• Regulatingservices:webenefitfromtheresultsofecosystemprocessessuchaswaterpurification,airqualitymaintenanceandclimateregulation

• Culturalservices:wegainnon-materialbenefitsfromourinteractionwiththenaturalenvironmentsuchaseducationandwell-being

• Supportingservices:functionsthatarenecessarytoproduceotherecosystemservicesfromwhichwebenefit,suchassoilformationandnutrientcycling

(www.defra.gov.uk/environment/policy/natural-environ/ecosystems/index.htm)9.Environmental:Theinteractionofapeatlandwiththesurroundingarea,includingthepeatlands’biodiversityvalue,ecosystemservicesandclimateimpacts.Asusedinthisdocumentthewordincludes‘ecological’.10.Goodgovernance:ThistermisusedbytheUnitedNationstodescribehowpublicinstitutionsconductpublicaffairsandmanagepublicresourcesinordertoguaranteetherealisationofhumanrights.AccordingtotheUN,goodgovernancehaseightcharacteristics:

1. Consensusorientated2. Followingtheruleoflaw3. Effectiveandefficient4. Accountable5. Transparent6. Responsive7. Equitableandinclusive.

11.Greenhousegas(GHG):Anygasintheatmospherethatcontributestothegreenhouseeffect.Theseincludecarbondioxide,methane,ozone,nitrousoxide,CFCs,andwatervapour.Mostoccurnaturallyaswellasbeingcreatedbyhumanactivity.(Seealsohttp://unfccc.int/resource/cd_roms/na1/ghg_inventories/english/8_glossary/Glossary.htm)12.HighConservationValuepeatland:TheHighConservationValueapproachisdesignedtomaintainenvironmentalandsocialvaluesinproductionlandscapes.Itisbasedonvaluescoveringspeciesdiversity,landscape-levelecosystems,rareecosystems/habitats,criticalecosystemservices,communitylivelihoodneedsandculturalvalues.HCVsarethosevaluesconsideredtobeoutstandinglyimportantatthenational,regionalorgloballevelforthefirstfourandlocallyforthelasttwo.13.Interestedparty:Apersonorgrouphavinganinterestinthepoliciesandoperationsofanactivityorbusinesswithawillingnesstoparticipateinrelateddecision-makingand/orimplementationatanappropriatelevel.Interestedpartiesincludepeatlandmanagers,industry,non-governmentalorganizations(NGOs),socialgroups,relevantgovernmentbodies,etc.

14.Localpeople:Localpeopleareanyindividualsorgroupsofpeopleintheareainandaroundapeatlandwhoareaffecteddirectlyorindirectlybypeatlandmanagementdecisions.15.Mire:Apeatlandwherepeatiscurrentlybeingformedandaccumulating.(JoostenandClarke2002p170.)16.Mitigation:Anyprocesswhichseekstoreducenegativeenvironmentalconsequencesofaninterventioninapeatland.17.Monitor:Toperiodicallyreviewwhethertheplanforapeatlandhasbeenfollowed,comparetheactualoutcomeswiththoseplanned,andtotakeremedialactionwherenecessary.18.Paludiculture:Thecultivationofbiomassonwetandre-wettedpeatlands.19.Peat:Sedentarilyaccumulatedmaterialconsistingofatleast30%(dryweight)ofdeadorganicmaterial.(JoostenandClarke2002p172.)20.Peatland:Anareawithorwithoutvegetationwithanaturallyaccumulatedpeatlayeratthesurface.(JoostenandClarke2002p172.)21.PeatlandManagement: Organising,controlling,regulating,andadministeringapeatlandforspecifiedpurposes.Managementshouldbeappropriatetothepeatlandtype,useandsocio-economic,culturalandenvironmentalconditions.

22.Peatlandrehabilitation:Thereparationofecosystemprocesses,productivity,andservicesoftheformerpeatland,butdoesnotimplythere-establishmentofthepre-existingbioticintegrityintermsofspeciescompositionandcommunitystructure.(Source:SERI2004)23.Peatlandrestoration:Theprocessofassistingtherecoveryofpeatlandthathasbeendegradedordamagedtoasnearaspossibleitsoriginalnaturalcondition.(Source:SERI2004)24.PristinePeatland:SeeMire25.Protection:Preservation,maintenance,andenhancementofspecificbiological,social,orculturalvalue.26.Publicconsultation/participation:Aregulatoryprocessbywhichthepublic’sinputonmattersaffectingthemissought,aconsultationprocessinwhichallstakeholderscanactivelyparticipate.(AfterJoostenandClarke2002p173.)27.Rehabilitation:SeePeatlandRehabilitation.28.Responsiblepeatlandmanagement:ResponsiblepeatlandmanagementistheimplementationoftheWiseUseofpeatlandsprinciples:safeguardingtheirenvironmental,social,andeconomicfunctionsandrespectinglocal,regional,andglobalrightsandvalues.29.Resource:Anavailablesupplythatcanbedrawnonwhenneeded.(JoostenandClarke2002p.174)

30.Restoration:SeePeatlandRestoration.31.Re-wetting:Raisingthewatertableinadrainedpeatland,usuallybyblockingdrains.32.Semi-naturalpeatlands:Peatlandsthathavebeenusedand/ordrainedinthepastorthatarepartiallydrained,butwhichretainsomepeat-formingcharacteristicsorpotentialand/orpeatlandecosystemfunctions.33.Stakeholders:Allpersonsandorganisationshavingadirectinterest.(JoostenandClarke2002p175.)34.Usesofpeatlands:Coversallusesincludingconservationandnon-use.(JoostenandClarke2002p23.)35.Wiseuseofpeatlands:Useofpeatlandsforwhichreasonablepeoplenowandinthefuturewillnotattributeblame.Useincludesnon-use(e.g.conservation).(JoostenandClarke2002p19.)7. REFERENCES

Hooijer,A.,Silvius,M.,Wösten,H.andPage,S.2006.PEAT-CO2,AssessmentofCO2emissions

fromdrainedpeatlandsinSEAsia.DelftHydraulicsreportQ3943Joosten,H.&Clarke,D.2002.WiseUseofMiresandPeatlands–BackgroundandPrinciples

includingaFrameworkforDecision-Making.InternationalMireConservationGroupandInternationalPeatSociety,Jyväskylä,Finland

Lappalainen,E.1996.GlobalPeatResources,InternationalPeatSociety,Jyväskylä,FinlandPage,S.E.,Rieley,J.O.&Banks,C.J.2011Globalandregionalimportanceofthetropical

peatlandcarbonpool.GlobalChangeBiology(2011)17,798–818,Strack,M.2008PeatlandsandClimateChange.InternationalPeatSociety,Jyväskylä,FinlandXu,J.,Morris,P.J.,Liu,J.&Holden,J.2018PEATMAP:Refiningestimatesofglobalpeatland

distributionbasedonameta-analysis,Catena,160:134-140.

8. ANNEXES

8.1 DevelopmentoftheStrategyforResponsiblePeatlandManagement

Theprocessleadingtothe‘StrategyforResponsiblePeatlandManagement’canbetracedbackto1997whenmembersoftheIPSandIMCGmetinSurwold,Germanytoidentifyanddiscussactivitiesformutualaction.Severalpotentialtopicswereidentifiedbutprioritywasgivento‘GuidelinesforWiseUseofPeatlands’.ProgressontheguidelinesandarangeofotherissueswerereviewedatsubsequentmeetingsofIPSandIMCG,culminatinginpublicationin2002ofthebook‘WiseUseofMiresandPeatlands–BackgroundandPrinciplesincludingaFrameworkforDecisionMaking’,authoredbyHansJoostenandDonalClarke.Thishasbecomethe‘standard’againstwhichtomeasurewhetherpeatlandsarebeingmanaged‘responsibly’inordertoprovidevariousgoodsorservices.Itprovidesaframeworkforimplementationofwiseuseofpeatlandswithinwhichconflictsbetweendifferentecologicalservicesandusesofmiresandpeatlandscanberesolvedtogetherwithasetof‘principles’toguidethisprocess.TheinitiativetodeveloptheSRPMwastakenbytheInternationalPeatlandSociety(IPS).ThefirststepsinpreparingaStrategyforresponsiblepeatlandmanagementweretakenin2008.AtameetinginBrusselsinMarch2008theCSPMAandtheEPAGMAencouragedtheIPStoprepareaplanofhowtocreate

1) aglobalpeatlandstrategy2) followingthatapeatlandmanagementcertificationscheme.

TheplanwaspreparedbytheIPSanditwaspresentedduringthe13thInternationalPeatCongressinTullamore,IrelandinJune2008andwasfurtheradvancedatameetinginHelsinkiinNovember2008.Aplanandtimetablewereestablishedin2008andearly2009.InFebruary2009ameetingwasheldinAmsterdamwhichwasattendedbyarepresentativegroupofparticipantsfromtheIPS,otherNGOsandotherorganizations.ThismeetinginitiatedthedraftingoftheStrategy.AsecondmeetingwasheldinBelfastinApril2009andfollowingthisadraftdocumentwaspreparedbytheconsultantsINDUFORandwascirculated.Thiswasfollowedbyaperiodofconsultation.Manysubmissionswerereceived,andtheconsultantsattemptedtoconsiderthesuggestionsmade.However,thestricttimetablewhichhadbeenadoptedinhibitedfullconsiderationofsomeofthesuggestionsreceived.Followingaperiodofconsultationandreflection,sometwenty-fiveorganisationsagreedtosigntheStrategywhichhadresultedfromtheAmsterdamandBelfastmeetingsandthesubsequentconsultationperiods.Asprovidedforintheoriginalplan,aseminarwasconvenedinBrusselsinOctober2009toexplainthedocumentandtoarrangeforitssignature.AtthispointitbecameclearthatseveralIPSmembersandNGOswhohadparticipatedintheprocesswerenotsatisfiedwiththedocument,anditwasdecidedthattheBrusselsseminarwouldbechangedintoameetingtochartawayahead.Are-draftinggroupwasappointedtotakeaccountofallthesubmissionsreceivedandprepareaplanforthepreparationofanewdraftStrategy.Are-draftwaspreparedandcirculatedinJanuary2010forfinalcommentandthisconsideredandacceptedatanOpenForuminAmsterdaminOctober2010.ItwasdecidedthatacceptanceanduseoftheSRPMwouldbemonitoredandreassessedeverytwoyears.Thiswasdoneandadetaileddiscussionwasheldatthe14thInternationalPeat

Congress(IPC)inStockholmin2012.Subsequent,IPSExecutiveBoardchangedthereviewperiodtofouryearswithreportsgivenateachInternationalPeat(land)Congress.Inpreparationforthe2020reviewoftheSRPMattheTallinnIPCaconsultationprocesswasinitiatedin2018todetermineifchangeswerenecessary.Followingthis,re-editingandupdatingtookplace,andasecondconsultationtookplaceontherevisedtext.ThechangessuggestedinthissecondconsultationwerecirculatedinMay2019andarevisedversionagreed.8.2 OrganisationsconsultedorinvolvedinthedevelopmentoftheStrategyThefollowingorganizationsortheirindividualemployeeshaveactivelycontributedtotheStrategybyattendingmeetingsand/orgivingwrittenfeedback:Non-governmentOrganizationsDucksUnlimitedCanadaInternationalMireConservationGroup(IMCG)InternationalSocietyforHorticulturalScience(ISHS)IrishPeatlandConservationCouncil(IPCC)WetlandsInternational(WI)IPSCommissions(1-9)ThenineCommissions, as they thenexisted in 2009/2010,were consulted. The threenewerCommissionshavebeenconsultedin2018ontherevisedtext.NationalCommitteesofIPSCanadianSocietyforPeatandPeatlandsEstonianPeatAssociationFinnishPeatlandSocietyGermanPeatlandandPeatSocietyIndonesianPeatSocietyIrishPeatSocietyLatvianPeatProducer’sAssociationLithuanianPeatProducer’sAssociationMalaysianPeatSocietyIPSNationalCommitteeoftheNetherlandsIPSPolishNationalCommitteeIPSSwedishNationalCommitteeIPSNationalCommitteeoftheUKIPSNationalCommitteeoftheUSAResearchinstitutesAll-RussianInstituteofthePeatIndustry,St.Petersburg,RussiaAlterraResearchInstitute,WageningenUniversityandResearchCenter,theNetherlands

DepartmentofNaturalResources,CanadaNaturalResourcesInstituteFinlandGeologicalSurveyofFinlandGeologicalSurveyofLowerSaxony,GermanyGreifswaldUniversity,GermanyHelsinkiUniversity,FinlandHumboldtUniversitätzuBerlin,GermanyInstituteofBotany,Vilnius,LithuaniaJamesCookUniversity,AustraliaPeatlandEcologyResearchGroup,UniversitéLaval,CanadaPolishAcademyofSciencesRussianAcademyofSciencesSwedishUniversityofAgriculturalSciencesTropicalPeatResearchLaboratory,MalaysiaUniversityofAppliedSciencesZittau/Görlitz,GermanyUniversityofDundee,UnitedKingdomUniversityofEasternFinlandUniversityofLatviaUniversityofLifeSciencesWarsaw,PolandUniversityofMalaysiaSarawakUniversityofNottingham,UnitedKingdomUniversityofPannonia,HungaryUniversityofWarmiaandMazury,PolandUniversityofWaterloo,CanadaUniversityPutraMalaysiaVTTTechnicalResearchCentreofFinlandWageningenUniversityandResearchCentre,theNetherlandsIndustryAssociationsAssociationofFinnishPeatIndustriesCanadianSphagnumPeatMossAssociationChambreSynd.desAméliorantsOrganiquesetSupportsdeCultureFranceEPAGMA(asitwasin2009).IndustrieverbandGarten,GermanySarawakOilPalmPlantationOwnersAssociationSwedishPeatProducer’sAssociationPeatProducingCompaniesASKraver,EstoniaBordnaMónaPlc,IrelandFlorentaise,FranceGriendtsveenAG,GermanyKlasmann-DeilmannGmbH,GermanyNeovaAB,Sweden NorthernPeatandMossCo.,UnitedKingdomPeltracom,Belgium(nowAgaris)Rostopprom,Russia

SphagnumProductsB.V.,theNetherlandsTurveruukkiOy,FinlandVapoOy,FinlandOtherorganizationsAgri-FoodandBiosciencesInstitute(AFBI),UnitedKingdomBiopterre’sBioproductsDevelopmentCenter,CanadaCenterforInternationalCooperationinSustainableManagementofTropicalPeatland,IndonesiaDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,UnitedKingdomDepartmentWaterAffairs,LesothoForestCarbonOffsets,USAMinistryofAgriculture,theNetherlandsMinistryofEnvironment,theNetherlandsNationalParksandWildlifeService,IrelandNaturalResourcesandEnvironmentBoard,Sarawak,MalaysiaRHPFoundation,theNetherlandsSarawakStateGovernment,MalaysiaUnitedNationsEnvironmentProgramme(UNEP)IPSExecutiveBoardIPSScientificAdvisoryBoardOtherorganizationscontacted:CAREInternationalConsultativeGrouponInternationalAgriculturalResearch(CGIAR)ConventiononBiologicalDiversityConventiononInt.TradeinEndangeredSpeciesofWildFaunaandFlora(CITES)FoodandAgricultureOrganizationoftheUnitedNations(FAO)GlobalEnvironmentCentreMalaysia(GEC)InternationalCommissionofAgriculturalandBiosystemsEngineering(CIGR)InternationalCommissiononIrrigationandDrainage(ICID)InternationalLabourOrganization(ILO)InternationalUnionforConservationofNature(IUCN)InternationalUnionofForestResearchOrganizations(IUFRO)InternationalWaterAssociation(IWA)InternationalWaterManagementInstitute(IMWI)InternationalWaterResourcesAssociation(IWRA)RamsarConventiononWetlandsSocietyforEcologicalRestorationInternational(SER)SocietyofWetlandScientists(SWS)UnitedNationsConferenceonTradeandDevelopment(UNCTAD)UnitedNationsDevelopmentProgramme(UNDP)UnitedNationsDivisionforSustainableDevelopment(CSD)UnitedNationsEducational,ScientificandCulturalOrganization(UNESCO)UnitedNationsFrameworkConventiononClimateChange(UNFCCC)UnitedNationsResearchInstituteforSocialDevelopment(UNRISD)

WorldEnergyCouncil(WEC)WorldWaterCouncil(WWC)WorldWideFundforNature(WWF)InadditionAllIPSmembersconsultedbyemail,about1,000peatandpeatlandexpertsVisitorstotheIPSwebsite

The Strategy for Responsible Peatland Management is a joint document of stakeholders involved in peat and peatland matters, initiated by the International Peatland Society (IPS).

The first steps in preparing the Strategy for Responsible Peatland Management were taken in 2008 when the IPS presented a plan for a global peatland strategy and a peatland management certification scheme at the 13th International Peat Congress in Ireland.

During 2008 - 2010, meetings of representatives of scientific institutes, industrial corporations and international non-government organisations were held in Helsinki, Amsterdam, Belfast, Brussels and Jyväskylä to finalize and further advance the Strategy. Each was followed by a period of consultation and reflection. The final document was edited by a steering group of the IPS President and Chair of the IPS Scientific Advisory Board and finally adopted at a seminar in Amsterdam in October 2010.

The Strategy was re-assessed and updated at Congresses in Stockholm in 2012 and Kuching in 2016; it was subject to in-depth revision in 2019, followed by widespread consultation after which it was republished.

About the IPS

The IPS is an international, non-governmental and non-profit organisation with approximately 1,400 members from 39 countries. It is dedicated to fostering the advancement, exchange and communication of scientific, technical and social knowledge and understanding for the wise use of peatlands and peat.

To achieve its goals, the IPS via its Commissions and National Committees regularly organises conferences, symposia and workshops, publishes research results from science and industry and serves in general as a forum to bring together experts from different fields of business, science, culture and regulatory bodies dealing with peatlands and peat. Further information: www.peatlands.org

Strategy for Responsible Peatland Management · Management. 6 Edition, International Peatland...

Documents