One of the ECOLOOP use cases developed for the forestry sector focuses on the “Wood Ash Recycling System for Forest Plantations.” This use case was defined by the Estonian University of Life Sciences partner based on the findings of their study, “Ots et al. 2024. Ash Treatment Promotes the Revegetation of Abandoned Extracted Peatlands.”
The study suggests that revegetation using nutrient-rich wood ash is a promising strategy for enhancing the ecological restoration of abandoned peat-mining areas. The results indicate that adding wood ash to the upper layer of peat increases the content of several macroelements, particularly phosphorus and potassium, which stimulates the rapid growth and development of vascular plants and bryophyte layers.
Over a period of nine years, biodiversity in the treated peatlands significantly improved. A total of 23 vascular plant species, including some locally protected species, and 3 bryophyte species were recorded in the areas treated with ash. In contrast, no species were observed in the unfertilized control areas.
These findings demonstrate that fertilization with wood ash can rapidly accelerate the formation of ground vegetation, making it a valuable tool for ecological restoration in peat-mining landscapes.
Image 1 – Afforestation of abandoned peatlands in Estonia.
Image 2 – Alpine bulrush preferred wood ash treated area.