The structure of the Congress will in general follow the traditional format based on the Commission structure of the I.P.S. However, the scientific programme will be organised around the following principal themes:
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Pristine mire landscapes: peatland conservation |
Peat and mire classification; mire survey and peat resources; mire conservation; mire ecology; paleo-ecology; peat stratigraphy; geology; management of conserved peatlands; hydrology and biodiversity. |
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Peat in energy |
Utilisation of peat and peatlands for energy; peat harvesting, processing, transportation and logistics; briquettes and other peat products; peat and local bio-fuels for energy; life cycle analyses of peat utilisation. |
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Peat in horticulture |
Utilisation of peat and peatlands for horticulture; peat harvesting, processing, transportation and logistics; chemical, physical and biological properties of peat and growing media; peat and alternatives; Sphagnum farming. |
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Agriculture on peatlands |
Agriculture; organic soil classification for agriculture; crop management; peat as bedding material for livestock; peat used for preservation of soil properties and soil improvement. |
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Tropical peatlands |
Carbon-climate-human interactions in tropical peatlands: natural resource functions, impacts, carbon pools, fire, restoration and Wise Use. |
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Peat balneology, medicine and therapeutics |
Peat preparations and pharmacological extracts; balneological peat classification; curative peat analysis; curative peat spa therapy; veterinary medicine. |
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Chemical, physical and biological characteristics of peat |
Peat soil and substrate; chemical and physical properties of peat; organic extracts from peat; peat hydrolysis; biologically active compounds and components from peat; peat pyrolysis. |
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After-use of cut-over and disturbed peatlands |
Ecosystem management; land-use planning; regeneration and restoration of peat-forming ecosystems; rehabilitation to wetland and dryland habitats; afforestation and agricultural use; berry production; wildlife management. |
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Forestry on peatlands |
Ecology and management on forested peatlands; peatland site type classification for forestry; forested wetlands; forest hydrology; biodiversity; forest drainage; silvicultural management; tree stand structure; wood properties; nutrient regimes; regeneration. |
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Cultural aspects of peat and peatlands |
Connections of peat and peatlands with archaeology, history, art, aesthetical experience, literature, tourism and anthropology; peat, peatlands and rural development; socio-economic aspects of peatland utilisation. |
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Peatlands and climate change |
Carbon cycle; carbon balances and climate change; mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions from peat soils under different types of utilisation; emissions from peat harvesting and combustion. |
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Miscellaneous |
Utilisation of peat for environmental protection; peat fibres for textiles and art; other matters not falling within Themes 1 to 11. |
Programme Outline