Sphagnum Farming Research Articles

Comparison of the Economic and Environmental Sustainability for Different Peatland Strategies

Previous studies of the literature show that there are great uncertainties regarding costs and gains for peatland restoration strategies and that the monetary estimation of peatland restoration and possible alternatives can be complicated. The research aims to compare the economic costs and benefits of existing peatland restoration strategies and alternative use of peat and peatlands. A core method for the evaluation of the economic aspects of each strategy used is the composite index method. Information for constructing the composite index is based on data from the scientific literature, reports, and local project studies. In the study, peatland strategies, peat extraction, and alternative use in products were mutually compared with existing strategies. The highest composite index among strategies was for the production of insulation boards and cultivation of paludicultures using cattail or sphagnum farming. Cultivation of paludicultures can be an economically viable strategy if costs and gains are evaluated. Cultivation of cattail or sphagnum can make economic gains for landowners and farmers, and solutions for the reduction in necessary initial investments should be sought. Harvested biomass can be used for high-added-value products, in this case, insulation boards from cattail (Typha). Therefore, peat biomass can be used as an economically valuable resource, and raw material for insulation board production is obtained without the extraction of peat. Also, ecosystem services and potential income are not reduced.

Short-term carbon cycling at a Sphagnum farming site under drought stress

Paludiculture is a new land use option for degraded peatlands, producing biomass under wet and peat preserving conditions. While previous studies indicate a significant greenhouse gas mitigation potential, the impact of bryophyte and vascular plant species on carbon cycling is not yet fully understood, especially under drought stress and climate warming conditions. In July 2018, we conducted a pulse labelling experiment at a Sphagnum farming area in Northwestern Germany to trace sequestered carbon dioxide (13CO2) in above-ground biomasses of peat mosses (Sphagnum) and dominant vascular plant species purple moor grass (Molinia caerulea), soil microbial biomass (Cmic), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), as well as dissolved and emitted CO2 and methane under drought stress induced by summer drought and simulated climate warming using Open Top Chambers (OTCs). We observed fast label allocation to all investigated carbon pools with the exception of DOC. Although label uptake was clearly higher in Molinia compared to Sphagnum, most carbon was lost via respiration within a few days and the percentage of stored carbon after 140 days was clearly higher in Sphagnum and Cmic. Differences between warmed and control plots were small, presumably due to the already hot and dry conditions. Our results highlight that carbon uptake and storage processes are maintained even under extreme drought conditions, while further experimental warming using OTCs was less influential. The presented findings confirm the important role of Sphagnum in carbon retention and the risk of methane emissions even at low water levels via plant-mediated transport. Consequently, an elaborate irrigation management and control of vascular plants are the key to successful Sphagnum farming and GHG mitigation.

Sphagnum cultivation sites as habitat for beetles (Coleoptera) and the effect of vegetation structure on species occurrence and abundance

The cultivation of peat mosses (‘Sphagnum farming’) is a new wet and climate-friendly agricultural use of degraded bog sites. However, it is largely unknown to what extent these surrogate habitats are used by bog fauna. This study investigated the potential of Sphagnum cultivation sites as surrogate habitats for beetles and evaluated the relationship between the vegetation structure and the occurrence of beetle species. In 2017 and 2018, comparative surveys were carried out at different sub-areas of two Sphagnum cultivation sites and one near-natural bog. Beetles living in and on the upper Sphagnum layer were studied by manually extracting quadrat samples. Vegetation surveys were conducted in the same quadrats to analyze the occurrence of beetle species based on vegetation parameters. We collected 926 individuals of beetles belonging to 89 species out of 17 families. At the different sections of the cultivation sites, 8–16 bog-typical beetle species were found, while at the sub-areas of the near-natural bog, there were 15 and 19 bog-typical species, respectively. The statistical analyses showed that vegetation structure influenced the numbers of beetle species and individuals at both the cultivation and near-natural sites.Implications for insect conservationA dense and high Sphagnum carpet is a fundamental habitat structure for the beetle fauna of cultivation sites, while vascular plants initially help to create habitat structures on bare peat. Conversely, if the vascular plants overgrow and shade the Sphagnum, this can have a negative effect on bog-typical beetle species, as shown at the near-natural site.

Experimental warming increased greenhouse gas emissions of a near-natural peatland and Sphagnum farming sites

AimsDrained peatlands are a major source of greenhouse gases (GHG). Paludiculture is the production of biomass under wet and peat preserving conditions. Despite the growing recognition as GHG mitigation measure, the potential influence of climate warming on paludiculture is still unknown.MethodsFor two years, we quantified the exchange of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) using manual chambers and surveyed the vegetation composition of warmed and control sites at a near-natural bog and two Sphagnum farming areas in North-Western Germany. Passive warming was achieved using Open Top Chambers (OTC).ResultsOTCs significantly increased air and soil temperatures, while soil moisture, humidity and light availability differed only marginally. The latter was considered when calculating gross primary production. Warming tended to increase vascular plant cover, but differences to the control plots were still small after two years. Emissions of CO2 and CH4 increased with warming, dominated by CH4 at the near-natural bog and by CO2 at the paludiculture areas, where vegetation was in a successional stage and topsoils temporarily dried out during summer. N2O emissions were negligible at the near-natural bog and ceased with increasing biomass at the paludiculture sites. Interannual variability was high due to a heatwave in the second measurement year.ConclusionsClimate warming could increase GHG emissions from near-natural bogs and Sphagnum farming. In the latter case, this puts even more emphasis on water management systems ensuring high water table depths during dry periods. Further, control of vascular plants might both reduce CH4 emissions and improve biomass quality.

Sphagnum bleaching: Bicarbonate ‘toxicity’ and tolerance for seven Sphagnum species

Growth and functioning of Sphagnum mosses are closely linked to water level and chemistry. Sphagnum mosses occur in wet, generally acidic conditions, and when buffered, alkaline water is known to negatively impact Sphagnum. The effects of time, dose and species‐specific responses of buffered, alkaline water on Sphagnum are largely unknown.We investigated the effects of bicarbonate and calcium on the survival, growth and physiological functioning of seven Sphagnum species occurring in contrasting environments, from raised bogs to (rich) fens. Mosses were submerged in different concentrations of bicarbonate and calcium solutions for 10 weeks under climate‐controlled circumstances.After 2 weeks, all species exposed to the high bicarbonate treatment (2.0 mM) showed severe potassium leakage and swift discoloration. In contrast, species showed differential responses to the intermediate bicarbonate treatment (0.8 mM), some with a later onset of potassium leakage. S. squarrosum, S. teres & S. contortum generally persisted the longest, with all species dying after 6 to 10 weeks. Calcium alone, in contrast, negatively affected S. squarrosum, S. teres & S. contortum, causing discoloration and potassium leakage.Our study shows enrichment with bicarbonate, but not calcium, is detrimental for most Sphagnum species tested. A mechanistic model was developed that is consistent with dose and duration dependence and the species specificity. Future conservation and restoration measures for Sphagnum‐dominated habitats and Sphagnum farming (cultivation, production and harvest of Sphagnum moss biomass) should limit flooding with bicarbonate‐rich waters while investigating new management options, like acidifying surface waters to lower bicarbonate levels.

Production and Physical-Mechanical Characterization of Peat Moss (Sphagnum) Insulation Panels.

Peat moss (sphagnum) is a commonly used sealant, fill, and insulation material in the past. During the efforts to rewet drained moors due to ecological considerations, the technical use of peat moss (sphagnum farming) again became the focus of attention. In the framework of this investigation, insulation panels consisting of peat moss, bound with urea formaldehyde, were produced. Panels manufactured in a wet process and mats bound with textiles were also fabricated. The specimens’ thermal conductivity, water vapor diffusion resistance, modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, internal bond, compression resistance, water absorption, and thickness swelling were measured. Physical–mechanical properties were adequate with the resin-bound panels, but not with wet process panels. Moss mats had good characteristics for cavity insulation purposes. The thermal conductivity of the moss panels and mats was found to be lowest with a density of 50 kg/m3, accounting for 0.04 W/m·K. The results show that peat moss is a promising resource for production insulation panels, because their thermal conductivity and mechanical stability are comparable to other insulation materials.

Recommendations for successful establishment of Sphagnum farming on shallow highly decomposed peat

Recommendations for successful establishment of Sphagnum farming on shallow highly decomposed peat

Greenhouse Gas Balance of Sphagnum Farming on Highly Decomposed Peat at Former Peat Extraction Sites

For two years, we quantified the exchange of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) at two different large-scale Sphagnum farming sites. At both, peat extraction left a shallow layer of highly decomposed peat and low hydraulic conductivities. One site was characterized by preceding multi-annual inundation and irrigated by ditches, while the other one was inoculated directly after peat extraction and irrigated by ditches and drip irrigation. Further, GHG emissions from an irrigation polder and the effect of harvesting Sphagnum donor material at a near-natural reference site were determined. GHG mitigation potentials lag behind the results of less decomposed sites, although our results were also affected by the extraordinary hot and dry summer 2018. CO2 exchanges ranged between -0.6 and 2.2 t CO2-C ha−1 y−1 and were mainly influenced by low water table depths. CH4 emissions were low with the exception of plots with higher Eriophorum covers, while fluctuating water tables and poorly developing plant covers led to considerable N2O emissions at the ditch irrigation site. The removal of the upper vegetation at the near-natural site resulted in increased CH4 emissions and, on average, lowered CO2 emissions. Overall, best plant growth and lowest GHG emissions were measured at the previously inundated site. At the other site, drip irrigation provided more favourable conditions than ditch irrigation. The size of the area needed for water management (ditches, polders) strongly affected the areal GHG balances. We conclude that Sphagnum farming on highly decomposed peat is possible but requires elaborate water management.

Axenic in vitro cultivation of 19 peat moss (Sphagnum L.) species as a resource for basic biology, biotechnology, and paludiculture.

Sphagnum farming can substitute peat with renewable biomass and thus help mitigate climate change. Large volumes of the required founder material can only be supplied sustainably by axenic cultivation in bioreactors. We established axenic in vitro cultures from sporophytes of 19 Sphagnum species collected in Austria, Germany, Latvia, the Netherlands, Russia, and Sweden: S.angustifolium, S.balticum, S.capillifolium, S.centrale, S.compactum, S.cuspidatum, S.fallax, S.fimbriatum, S.fuscum, S.lindbergii, S.medium/divinum, S.palustre, S.papillosum, S.rubellum, S.russowii, S.squarrosum, S.subnitens, S.subfulvum and S.warnstorfii. These species cover five of the six European Sphagnum subgenera; namely, Acutifolia, Cuspidata, Rigida, Sphagnum and Squarrosa. Their growth was measured in suspension cultures, whereas their ploidy was determined by flow cytometry and compared with the genome size of Physcomitrella patens. We identified haploid and diploid Sphagnum species, found that their cells are predominantly arrested in the G1 phase of the cell cycle, and did not find a correlation between plant productivity and ploidy. DNA barcoding was achieved by sequencing introns of the BRK1 genes. With this collection, high-quality founder material for diverse large-scale applications, but also for basic Sphagnum research, is available from the International Moss Stock Center.

Temporal dynamics in the taxonomic and functional profile of the Sphagnum-associated fungi (mycobiomes) in a Sphagnum farming field site in Northwestern Germany

The drainage of peatlands for their agricultural use leads to huge emissions of greenhouse gases. One sustainable alternative is the cultivation of peat mosses after rewetting ('Sphagnum farming'). Environmental parameters of such artificial systems may differ from those of natural Sphagnum ecosystems which host a rich fungal community. We studied the fungal community at a 4ha Sphagnum farming field site in Northwestern Germany and compared it with that of natural Sphagnum ecosystems. Additionally, we asked if any fungi occur with potentially negative consequences for the commercial production and/or use of Sphagnum biomass. Samples were collected every 3 months within 1 year. High-throughput sequencing of the fungal ITS2 barcode was used to obtain a comprehensive community profile of the fungi. The dominant taxa in the fungal community of the Sphagnum farming field site were all commonly reported from natural Sphagnum ecosystems. While the taxonomic composition showed clear differences between seasons, a stable functional community profile was identified across seasons. Additionally, nutrient supply seems to affect composition of fungal community. Despite a rather high abundance of bryophyte parasites, and the occurrence of both Sphagnum-species-specific and general plant pathogens, their impact on the productivity and usage of Sphagnum biomass as raw material for growing media was considered to be low.

Seven years of spider community succession in a Sphagnum farm

Sphagnum farming is paludiculture aiming to produce Sphagnum biomass as a sustainable alternative to peat in horticultural growing media. Here we focus on the habitat value of artificial Sphagnum farming sites for peatland species. We report results from seven years of biodiversity monitoring (2011–2018) in a 14 ha Sphagnum farm in north western Germany, using spiders and harvestmen as indicator groups for succession of invertebrate communities. Species richness and abundance more than doubled in the first two years of Sphagnum growth, but remained rather constant since then. Peatland generalists rapidly colonized the site and constitute some 30%–40% of activity dominance since the second year. Stenotopic peatland spiders arrived later, but their abundance proportion increased significantly from 2014 to 2017. Nevertheless, the spider communities remain distinct from (semi-)natural reference sites. Highly characteristic species of pristine bogs are still lacking. We conclude that a novel community has assembled that bears only moderate resemblance to natural peatlands. Persisting high annual turnover rates in terms of species composition and dominance structure (both > 30%) corroborate high levels of ongoing dynamics and the significance of stochastic processes. The long-term trajectory of community succession in the Sphagnum farm remains vague.

Nutrient dynamics of Sphagnum farming on rewetted bog grassland in NW Germany

The agricultural use of drained peatlands leads to huge emissions of greenhouse gases and nutrients. A land-use alternative that allows rewetting of drained peatland while maintaining agricultural production is the cultivation of Sphagnum biomass as a renewable substitute for fossil peat in horticultural growing media (Sphagnum farming).We studied Sphagnum productivity and nutrient dynamics during two years in two Sphagnum farming sites in NW Germany, which were established on drained bog grassland by sod removal, rewetting, and the introduction of Sphagnum fragments in 2011 and 2016, respectively.We found a considerable and homogeneous production of Sphagnum biomass (>3.6 ton DW ha‐−1 yr−1), attributable to the high nutrient levels, low alkalinity, and even distribution of the irrigation water. The ammonium legacy from former drainage-based agriculture rapidly declined after rewetting, while nutrient mobilization was negligible. CH4 concentrations in the rewetted soil quickly decreased to very low levels. The Sphagnum biomass sequestered high loads of nutrients (46.0 and 47.4 kg N, 3.9 and 4.9 kg P, and 9.8 and 16.1 kg K ha−1 yr−1 in the 7.5 y and 2.5 y old sites, respectively), preventing off-site eutrophication.We conclude that Sphagnum farming as an alternative for drainage-based peatland agriculture may contribute effectively to tackling environmental challenges such as local and regional downstream pollution and global climate change.

Paludiculture on former bog grassland: Profitability of Sphagnum farming in North West Germany

Paludiculture on former bog grassland: Profitability of Sphagnum farming in North West Germany

Sphagnum farming from species selection to the production of growing media: a review

Sphagnum farming - the production of Sphagnum biomass on rewetted bogs - helps towards achieving global climate goals by halting greenhouse gas emissions from drained peat and by replacing peat with a renewable biomass alternative. Large-scale implementation of Sphagnum farming requires a wide range of know-how, from initial species selection up to the final production and use of Sphagnum biomass based growing media in horticulture. This article provides an overview of relevant knowledge accumulated over the last 15 years and identifies open questions.

Sphagnum farming in a eutrophic world: The importance of optimal nutrient stoichiometry

Large areas of peatlands have worldwide been drained to facilitate agriculture, which has adverse effects on the environment and the global climate. Agriculture on rewetted peatlands (paludiculture) provides a sustainable alternative to drainage-based agriculture. One form of paludiculture is the cultivation of Sphagnum moss, which can be used as a raw material for horticultural growing media. Under natural conditions, most Sphagnum mosses eligible for paludiculture typically predominate only in nutrient-poor wetland habitats. It is unknown, however, how the prevailing high nutrient levels in rewetted agricultural peatlands interfere with optimal Sphagnum production.We therefore studied the effect of enriched nutrient conditions remaining even after top soil removal and further caused by external supply of nutrient-rich irrigation water and (generally) high inputs of atmospheric nitrogen (N) to habitat biogeochemistry, biomass production and nutrient stoichiometry of introduced Sphagnum palustre and S. papillosum in a rewetted peatland, which was formerly in intensive agricultural use.Airborne N was responsible for the major supply of N. Phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) were mainly supplied by irrigation water. The prevailing high nutrient levels (P and K) are a result of nutrient-rich irrigation water from the surroundings. Peat porewater (10cm below peatmoss surface) CO2 concentrations were high, bicarbonate concentrations low, and the pH was around 4.2.Provided that moisture supply is sufficient and dominance of fast-growing, larger graminoids suppressed (in order to avoid outshading of Sphagnum mosses), strikingly very high biomass yields of 6.7 and 6.5tDWha−1yr−1 (S. palustre and S. papillosum [including S. fallax biomass], respectively) were obtained despite high N supply and biomass N concentrations. Despite high P and K supply and uptake, N:P and N:K ratios in the Sphagnum capitula were still low. Sphagnum mosses achieved high nutrient sequestration rates of 34kgN, 17kgK and 4kgPha−1yr−1 from May 2013 to May 2014, which shows that the site acted as an active nutrient sink. Nutrient management still needs further improvement to reduce the competitive advantage of fast growing peatmoss species (cf. S. fallax) at the expense of slower growing but preferred peatmosses as horticultural substrate (S. palustre and S. papillosum) to optimize the quality of biomass yields.In conclusion, Sphagnum farming is well able to thrive under high N input provided that there is a simultaneous high input of P and K from irrigation water, which facilitates high production rates. Due to the lack of suitable, nutrient poor sites, it seems to be useful to remove the topsoil (mainly P removal) prior to start growing Sphagnum mosses. In addition, bicarbonate concentrations have to stay sufficiently low to ensure a low pH, CO2 supply from the peat soil should be sufficiently high to prevent C limitation, and graminoids should be mown regularly.

Greenhouse gas exchange of rewetted bog peat extraction sites and a <i>Sphagnum</i> cultivation site in northwest Germany

Abstract. During the last decades an increasing area of drained peatlands has been rewetted. Especially in Germany, rewetting is the principal treatment on cutover sites when peat extraction is finished. The objectives are bog restoration and the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The first sites were rewetted in the 1980s. Thus, there is a good opportunity to study long-term effects of rewetting on greenhouse gas exchange, which has not been done so far on temperate cutover peatlands. Moreover, Sphagnum cultivating may become a new way to use cutover peatlands and agriculturally used peatlands as it permits the economical use of bogs under wet conditions. The climate impact of such measures has not been studied yet. We conducted a field study on the exchange of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide at three rewetted sites with a gradient from dry to wet conditions and at a Sphagnum cultivation site in NW Germany over the course of more than 2 years. Gas fluxes were measured using transparent and opaque closed chambers. The ecosystem respiration (CO2) and the net ecosystem exchange (CO2) were modelled at a high temporal resolution. Measured and modelled values fit very well together. Annually cumulated gas flux rates, net ecosystem carbon balances (NECB) and global warming potential (GWP) balances were determined. The annual net ecosystem exchange (CO2) varied strongly at the rewetted sites (from −201.7 ± 126.8 to 29.7± 112.7g CO2-C m−2 a−1) due to differing weather conditions, water levels and vegetation. The Sphagnum cultivation site was a sink of CO2 (−118.8 ± 48.1 and −78.6 ± 39.8 g CO2-C m−2 a−1). The annual CH4 balances ranged between 16.2 ± 2.2 and 24.2 ± 5.0g CH4-C m−2 a−1 at two inundated sites, while one rewetted site with a comparatively low water level and the Sphagnum farming site show CH4 fluxes close to 0. The net N2O fluxes were low and not significantly different between the four sites. The annual NECB was between −185.5 ± 126.9 and 49.9 ± 112.8 g CO2-C m−2 a−1 at the rewetted sites and −115.8 ± 48.1 and −77 ± 39.8 g CO2-C m−2 a−1 at the Sphagnum cultivating site. The annual GWP100 balances ranged from −280.5 ± 465.2 to 644.5 ± 413.6 g CO2-eq. m−2 a−1 at the rewetted sites. In contrast, the Sphagnum farming site had a cooling impact on the climate in both years (−356.8 ± 176.5 and −234.9 ± 145.9 g CO2-C m−2 a−1). If the carbon exported through the harvest of the Sphagnum biomass and the additional CO2 emission from the decay of the organic material is considered, the NECB and GWP100 balances are near neutral. Peat mining sites are likely to become net carbon sinks and a peat accumulating ("growing") peatland within 30 years of rewetting, but the GWP100 balance may still be positive. A recommended measure for rewetting is to achieve a water level of a few centimetres below ground. Sphagnum farming is a climate-friendly alternative to conventional commercial use of bogs. A year-round constant water level of a few centimetres below ground level should be maintained.

Sphagnum farming: the promised land for peat bog species?

Sphagnum farming is a promising approach towards sustainability in growing media production for horticulture. In this study we focus on the additional value of Sphagnum farming sites as a surrogate habitat for threatened peat bog fauna. The highly diverse arthropod groups of spiders and harvestmen were used as bioindicators to track changes in species assemblages over the first 3 years of Sphagnum farming on a site in northwestern Germany. The results were compared with simultaneously studied reference habitats of nearby bog grasslands and degraded peat bog remnants. Spider communities changed rapidly from assemblages dominated by disturbance specialists (pioneer species) in the year of artificial Sphagnum establishment to diverse assemblages with large proportions of peatland generalists in the following years. Conservation value based on rarity, Red List status, disturbance tolerance and peatland association of individual species was in the later stage of Sphagnum farming as high as in the seminatural reference sites. Species quality index as derived from rarity scores was particularly high in the first year of succession due to the occurrence of some rare disturbance specialists. Despite the fact that each succession stage has its own conservation value, we advocate long rotation cycles in Sphagnum farming to allow establishment of slowly colonizing peatland specialists. We generally recommend the establishment of Sphagnum farms on degraded peatland, as creation of this artificial habitat promotes landscape and species diversity and provides refuges for endangered species of peatland and ephemeral habitats.

Clonal in vitro propagation of peat mosses (Sphagnum L.) as novel green resources for basic and applied research.

As builders and major components of peatlands, Sphagnopsida (peat mosses) are very important organisms for ecosystems and world’s climate. Nowadays many Sphagnum species as well as their habitats are largely protected, while their scientific and economic relevance remains considerable. Advanced methods of in vitro cultivation provide the potential to work in a sustainable way with peat mosses and address aspects of basic research as well as biotechnological and economical topics like biomonitoring or the production of renewable substrates for horticulture (Sphagnum farming). Here, we describe the establishment of axenic in vitro cultures of the five peat moss species Sphagnum fimbriatum Wils. and Hook., Sphagnum magellanicum Brid., Sphagnum palustre L., Sphagnum rubellum Wils. and Sphagnum subnitens Russ. and Warnst. with specific focus on large-scale cultivation of S. palustre in bioreactors. Axenic, clonal cultures were established to produce high quantities of biomass under standardized laboratory conditions. For advanced production of S. palustre we tested different cultivation techniques, growth media and inocula, and analyzed the effects of tissue disruption. While cultivation on solid medium is suitable for long term storage, submerse cultivation in liquid medium yielded highest amounts of biomass. By addition of sucrose and ammonium nitrate we were able to increase the biomass by around 10- to 30-fold within 4 weeks. The morphology of in vitro-cultivated gametophores showed similar phenotypic characteristics compared to material from the field. Thus the tested culture techniques are suitable to produce S. palustre material for basic and applied research.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11240-014-0658-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Sphagnum farming: A long-term study on producing peat moss biomass sustainably

Sphagnum farming refers to the cultivation of Sphagnum mosses to produce Sphagnum biomass sustainably. Some possible uses of these fibers are as ingredients in growing substrates, as floral moss, as plant packaging during transport, or as moss reintroduction material for peatland restoration projects. Because this biomass production is sustainable, Sphagnum farming should reduce human impacts on natural peatlands. Despite its various benefits, research on Sphagnum farming is limited. To determine if Sphagnum farming is feasible on a large-scale basis (on the order of 900–1500m2 size basin), 6 yearly production cycles were implemented in trenches of former block-cut peatland in eastern Canada. These sites were monitored over seven growing seasons. Sphagnum cover (67%) and accumulated biomass (787gm−2) from the culture basins were similar or superior to surveys from restored peatlands. However, cover and biomass values differed greatly among production cycles when comparing the time elapsed since the creation of the basins. Differences in productivity during different cycles were largely coupled with variations of water table levels compared to intrinsic properties of plant interactions. We believe that the optimization of water access (for example through automated of irrigation systems) for Sphagnum mosses would greatly improve the productivity of Sphagnum farming.