peatamiseni

Peatamiseni is a term used in peatland studies to describe the ongoing process of peat accumulation in waterlogged wetlands such as bogs and fens. It refers to the sequence by which plant material becomes incorporated into an organic layer, through deposition, preservation in anoxic conditions, and eventual compaction into peat.

Formation occurs as vegetation—primarily mosses such as Sphagnum, along with sedges and woody material—grows in standing water. Low decomposition rates under saturated soils allow organic matter to accumulate faster than it decays. Long timescales (centuries to millennia) build up thick peat layers, which may seal off underlying mineral soils and influence hydrology.

Researchers assess peatamiseni by extracting peat cores, measuring depth and density, and using radiocarbon dating or other dating methods to estimate accumulation rates. Pollen, testate amoebae, and charcoal layers help reconstruct past vegetation and disturbance events.

Peatlands store large quantities of carbon and regulate water regimes; preserving and restoring peatamiseni contributes to climate mitigation and biodiversity. Draining, burning, peat extraction, and land-use change disrupt the accumulation process, increase emissions, and can lead to peat subsidence.

Global distribution includes boreal and temperate peatlands in Canada, Russia, Finland, Sweden, the Baltic states, and tropical peatlands in Southeast Asia and the Amazon basin. Ongoing research focuses on understanding accumulation rates, hydrology, and responses to climate change to inform conservation and restoration efforts.