The degree of decomposition decreases through the second zone until it reaches the thin first layer formed of living moss. The bottom, or third zone, comprises the old and most decomposed materials. Peat moss, which is in the genus Sphagnum, is formed of three general layers of peat that can reach down several meters in depth. "The highly acidic conditions in the bog preserve organic matter." "It's like a pickling process," Brewer said. The oxygen-free environment promotes extremely slow composition, and the carbon structure in the moss remains in the plant materials. Peat moss develops in bogs that are so wet they are devoid of free oxygen, which is necessary for rapid decomposition. The sale of peat moss in England will be banned starting in 2024 because of environmental concern. Compost is an alternative the feeds soil microbes, improves drainage and retains water-but it decomposes faster than peat moss, Brewer said. However, it's very low in nutrients, has a low pH and isn't attractive to essential soil microbes. Many bagged soils contain peat moss, and some gardeners make their own soil mix with it. When harvested from the bog, peat moss dries out quickly and is turned into amendments meant to improve drainage and retain moisture in soils. As soon as we start tinkering with it, carbon is released." "It's a huge storage unit for carbon dioxide. "Bogs represent 5% of the earth's surface and yet they contain more carbon than all the planet's forests combined," Brewer said. Harvesting peat moss also destroys a native habitat essential to the survival of many birds, reptiles, insects and small mammals. These water-logged bogs have taken carbon from the atmosphere and sequestered it for 10,000 to 12,000 years, according to Linda Brewer, soil scientist in the Department of Horticulture in OSU's College of Agricultural Sciences.Īs it's harvested, the carbon is released the carbon back into the atmosphere, contributing to a warming climate.
Peat moss is harvested from bogs and fens around the world, but primarily in Canada and Russia.
0 kommentar(er)
