Maanpeite

Maanpeite is a Finnish term that refers to any cover that protects the soil surface. In ecology, horticulture, and land management, maanpeite describes a layer that blankets the soil to stabilize it, conserve moisture, and suppress weeds. The concept can be realized with living vegetation or with inert materials.

Living maanpeite consists of low-growing, spreading plants that form a continuous cover, such as creeping perennials or ground-covering grasses. Non-living maanpeite includes mulches (such as bark, compost, or straw), pebbles, gravel, or fabric mats. In gardens, living covers are favored for their ongoing soil-building and biodiversity benefits; in exposed or high-traffic areas, mineral or synthetic covers may be used mainly for erosion control and durability.

Functions of maanpeite include reducing soil erosion on slopes and exposed soil, moderating soil temperature fluctuations, preserving soil moisture, and suppressing weeds. It can improve soil structure and organic matter content when using organic mulch and can provide habitat for beneficial organisms as well as aesthetic value.

Applications of maanpeite span horticulture, landscaping, ecological restoration, and slope stabilization, including use on green roofs. Selection depends on climate, soil type, light, moisture, maintenance, and potential invasiveness. In colder regions, considerations such as winter survivability and frost action influence plant choices and mulch materials, guiding the creation of effective and sustainable soil covers.