The European continent features an impressive variety of mires and peatlands. Polygon palsa
and aapa mires concentric and eccentric bogs spring and percolation fens coastal marshes
blanket bogs saline fens acid alkaline nutrient poor nutrient rich: the peatlands of
Europe represent unique ecosystem biodiversity and harbour a large treasure of flora and fauna
typical of peat forming environments. Europe is also the continent with the longest history
the highest intensity and the largest variety of peatland use and as a consequence it has the
highest proportion of degraded peatlands worldwide. Peatland science and technology developed
in parallel to exploitation and it is therefore not surprising that almost all modern peatland
terms and concepts originated and matured in Europe. Their massive degradation also kindled the
desire to protect these beautiful landscapes full of peculiar wildlife. In recent decades
attention has widened to include additional vital ecosystem services that natural and restored
peatlands provide. Already the first scientific book on peatlands (Schoockius 1658) contained a
chapter on restoration. Yet only now there is a rising awareness of the necessity to conserve
and restore mires and peatlands in order to avoid adverse environmental and economic effects.
This book provides - for the first time in history - a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of
mires and peatlands in biogeographic Europe. Written by 134 authors the book describes mire
and peatland types terms extent distribution use conservation and restoration
individually for each country and integrated for the entire continent. Complemented by a
multitude of maps and photographs the book offers an impressive and colourful journey full of
surprising historical context and fascinating details while appreciating the core principles
and unifying concepts of mire science.
