%0 Research Notes
%T Nursing plants in peatland restoration: on their potential use to alleviate frost heaving problems
%A Groeneveld, Elisabeth
%A Rochefort, Line
%D 2002
%J Suo - Mires and peat
%V 53
%N 3-4
%U http://suo.fi/article/9822
%X Peatland restoration measures usually require the rewetting of the disturbed ecosystem. In northern latitudes, the increase in wetness of the bare peat substrate causes frost heaving. In this paper, we described the problem of frost heaving in cutover peatlands and an array of means whereby it can be diminished. Several avenues of research should be pursued with the use of nursing plants to reduce frost heaving and promote Sphagnum establishment and growth. For large scale restoration of peatland ecosystems, Polytrichum strictum appears to be a good potential nursing plant to Sphagnum. However the importance of competition between polytric and Sphagnum is unknown and we do not know under which conditions the association is beneficial or not.