Turbapõldude

Turbapõldude is an Estonian term referring to peat fields or areas where peat has been extracted or is managed for commercial use. Peat accumulates in waterlogged, oxygen-poor conditions from partially decomposed plant material over centuries, forming peatlands that store large amounts of carbon and support specialized wetland ecosystems.

In managed turbapõldude, peat is removed for fuel, horticulture, or soil improvement. Extraction methods range from traditional milled and sod-cut peat to modern mechanized harvesting. After active extraction, fields may be left as bare peat, used for agriculture, or subjected to restoration measures. In some regions, turbapõldude have also been converted to forestry or lake systems following rewetting.

Environmental concerns associated with turbapõldude include carbon dioxide and methane emissions from drained peat, loss of biodiversity, altered hydrology, and increased fire risk. Drainage required for extraction degrades peatland function and releases stored carbon, contributing to climate change. At the same time, peatlands supply livelihoods, energy, and horticultural substrates in several countries.

Management approaches balance economic use and conservation through regulated extraction, phased rehabilitation, and rewetting to restore peat-forming conditions. Restoration techniques include blocking drainage, reintroducing native vegetation, and allowing natural water levels to return. Policy frameworks in Europe and elsewhere increasingly promote protection of intact peatlands and transitions away from peat use to reduce environmental impacts.