**Meet the editors**

Bülent Topcuoğlu, PhD, serves as a professor at the Vocational School of Technical Sciences, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey. He is currently working on soil science and plant nutrition, soil pollution, and environmental science topics. He has authored more than 300 contributions, including scientific publications, research communications, reviewed journals, and conferences

worldwide. Professor Topcuoğlu is a scientific member of many organizations and has chaired a number of international conferences in Istanbul and Antalya, Turkey.

Metin Turan was born in Turkey in 1972. He obtained a PhD degree in 2002 from the Atatürk University, Turkey, in the Soil Science and Plant Nutrition department. Professor Turan is a guest lecturer at Cornell University (State University of New York) and the National Chung Hsing University, Department of Soil and Environmental Science, Taichung, Taiwan. He is currently working

as a professor of soil ecology and biological fertilizer applications and biotechnology in plant breeding topics at the Yeditepe University Engineering Faculty, Genetic and Bioengineering department, in Istanbul, Turkey. He has more than 100 research publications and commercial products on microbial fertilizers to his credit. Professor Turan is a scientific member of many organizations and has chaired a number of conferences in Turkey and Europe.

Contents

**Preface VII**

W. McVoy

**Section 1 Peatland Function on Ecosystem and Biodiversity 1**

Chapter 2 **Salt Marsh Peat Dispersal: Habitat for Fishes, Decapod**

Kenneth W. Able, Christina J. Welsh and Ryan Larum

Chapter 4 **The Status of Pachiterric Histosol Properties as Influenced by**

Selda Ors, Raziye Kul, Hüsnü Ünlü and Halime Ünlü

**Section 3 Peatland in Geotechnical Engineering and Hydrology 91**

Chapter 6 **Physical and Geotechnical Properties of Tropical Peat and Its**

Prabir K. Kolay and Siti Noor Linda Taib

Inga Liaudanskiene and Jonas Volungevicius

Thomas W. Dreschel, Susan Hohner, Sumanjit Aich and Christopher

Alvyra Slepetiene, Kristina Amaleviciute-Volunge, Jonas Slepetys,

Nurgul Kitir, Ertan Yildirim, Üstün Şahin, Metin Turan, Melek Ekinci,

Chapter 1 **Introductory Chapter: Introduction to Peat 3** Bülent Topcuoğlu and Metin Turan

Chapter 3 **Peat Soils of the Everglades of Florida, USA 29**

**Section 2 Peat Characteristics and Horticultural Use 47**

**Different Land Use 49**

Chapter 5 **Peat Use in Horticulture 75**

**Stabilization 93**

**Crustaceans, and Bivalves 9**

## Contents

### **Preface XI**


Chapter 6 **Physical and Geotechnical Properties of Tropical Peat and Its Stabilization 93** Prabir K. Kolay and Siti Noor Linda Taib

## Chapter 7 **Mass Stabilization as a Ground Improvement Method for Soft Peaty 107**

Forsman Juha, Korkiala-Tanttu Leena and Piispanen Pyry

## Chapter 8 **Hydrological Function of a Midlatitude Headwater Peatland 141**

Jan Kocum, Bohumír Janský, Lukáš Vlček and Tomáš Doležal

Preface

these wetlands.

duced at a rate greater than its decomposition.

Peat is mostly an organic material derived from plant deposits that accumulate in certain types of ecosystems. Peat material includes bog plants such as mosses, shrubs and sedges. Peatlands are wetlands that are characterized by semidecayed organic matter that is pro‐

Peatlands or wetlands are regarded as the most important ecosystems on earth, with their biodiversity, natural functions, carbon–water cycle, and climate change and economic val‐ ues. In the historical process, the first human settlements seem to have been concentrated in places defined as wetlands, such as deltas, flood plains, lakes, and rivers. Many communi‐ ties such as the Egyptians, Mesopotamians, Chinese, Indians, and Aztecs have lived in wet‐ lands for thousands of years and have cultivated crops and reared livestock in the fertile floodplain every year, as well as built great civilizations with opportunities provided by

In 1890, the source of mosquitos, which caused the deaths of millions of people, was discov‐ ered to be wetlands, and people's perception of wetlands began to change. It was subse‐ quently assumed that the only and definitive solution to prevent malaria was to dry the marshes. Initially, only drying studies to prevent malaria disease were directed at flood‐ plains and marshes, but along with developing technology this concept became available in other farming areas. In this process, Mediterranean countries have lost close to 70% of their wetlands. However, as a result of the drying out of wetlands, most of the arable land has been inaccessible to desired agricultural production; in some places it has become inefficient in a short time due to salinization, burning of peat, and wind erosion. In addition to the deterioration and climatic changes occurring in the water regime of the region, problems have arisen that cannot be compensated for, such as the loss or extinction of many living species. Following these developments, wetland conservation programs based on ecological, social, and economic analyses have been developed, with a number of conservation meas‐ ures being taken to protect wetlands in many countries under the influence of non-govern‐

Today, peat material is used in many sectors and demand for peat is increasing in many countries. Peat is now being used in cultured mushroom production, soil cultivation, feed rations, barn and poultry farming, medicine and balneology, heavy metal adsorption, aquar‐ ium media conditioners, food fumigation, packaging and insulation materials, alcohol, and carotene and humic acid production. It is also used in many fields as a raw material. Most peat has been used as a form of energy for at least 2000 years. Understanding the natural characteristics and functions of peat is important for its correct and safe use. Today, the visi‐ ble effects of global warming and climate change are being felt everywhere, and freshwater

mental organizations and other nature conservation organizations.

## Preface

Chapter 7 **Mass Stabilization as a Ground Improvement Method for**

Chapter 8 **Hydrological Function of a Midlatitude Headwater**

Forsman Juha, Korkiala-Tanttu Leena and Piispanen Pyry

Jan Kocum, Bohumír Janský, Lukáš Vlček and Tomáš Doležal

**Soft Peaty 107**

**VI** Contents

**Peatland 141**

Peat is mostly an organic material derived from plant deposits that accumulate in certain types of ecosystems. Peat material includes bog plants such as mosses, shrubs and sedges. Peatlands are wetlands that are characterized by semidecayed organic matter that is pro‐ duced at a rate greater than its decomposition.

Peatlands or wetlands are regarded as the most important ecosystems on earth, with their biodiversity, natural functions, carbon–water cycle, and climate change and economic val‐ ues. In the historical process, the first human settlements seem to have been concentrated in places defined as wetlands, such as deltas, flood plains, lakes, and rivers. Many communi‐ ties such as the Egyptians, Mesopotamians, Chinese, Indians, and Aztecs have lived in wet‐ lands for thousands of years and have cultivated crops and reared livestock in the fertile floodplain every year, as well as built great civilizations with opportunities provided by these wetlands.

In 1890, the source of mosquitos, which caused the deaths of millions of people, was discov‐ ered to be wetlands, and people's perception of wetlands began to change. It was subse‐ quently assumed that the only and definitive solution to prevent malaria was to dry the marshes. Initially, only drying studies to prevent malaria disease were directed at flood‐ plains and marshes, but along with developing technology this concept became available in other farming areas. In this process, Mediterranean countries have lost close to 70% of their wetlands. However, as a result of the drying out of wetlands, most of the arable land has been inaccessible to desired agricultural production; in some places it has become inefficient in a short time due to salinization, burning of peat, and wind erosion. In addition to the deterioration and climatic changes occurring in the water regime of the region, problems have arisen that cannot be compensated for, such as the loss or extinction of many living species. Following these developments, wetland conservation programs based on ecological, social, and economic analyses have been developed, with a number of conservation meas‐ ures being taken to protect wetlands in many countries under the influence of non-govern‐ mental organizations and other nature conservation organizations.

Today, peat material is used in many sectors and demand for peat is increasing in many countries. Peat is now being used in cultured mushroom production, soil cultivation, feed rations, barn and poultry farming, medicine and balneology, heavy metal adsorption, aquar‐ ium media conditioners, food fumigation, packaging and insulation materials, alcohol, and carotene and humic acid production. It is also used in many fields as a raw material. Most peat has been used as a form of energy for at least 2000 years. Understanding the natural characteristics and functions of peat is important for its correct and safe use. Today, the visi‐ ble effects of global warming and climate change are being felt everywhere, and freshwater

resources are rapidly being depleted and polluted. In this respect, protecting wetlands and delivering health to future generations is one of our most important responsibilities.

The editors of this book are enormously grateful to all the contributing authors for sharing their knowledge and insight in this interdisciplinary project. The publication of this book is of high importance for researchers, scientists, and engineers in relevant fields with expertise in soil science, horticultural sciences, hydrology, forestry, climatology, geophysics, environ‐ mental sciences, geography, geoecology, civil and geotechnical engineering, and other disci‐ plines who contribute and share their findings to take this area forward for future research.

#### **Bülent Topcuoğlu, PhD**

**Section 1**

**Peatland Function on Ecosystem and**

**Biodiversity**

Akdeniz University Vocational School of Technical Sciences Antalya, Turkey

> **Metin Turan, PhD** Yeditepe University Engineering Faculty Istanbul, Turkey
