You know those soggy, low places, where the trees are leaning like they have had too much to drink, and the sharp yellow of the Tamaracks in fall makes you want to go for a long walk? Those are the places we are discussing today. Edward Struzik joins me to discuss his new book, Swamplands. He details the cultural histories, folklore, economic activities, species at risk, carbon capture capacity, flood mitigation and future, of the world’s peatlands.

Resources

Edward’s book: Swamplands: Tundra Beavers, Quaking Bogs, and the Improbable World of Peat

Sponsors

West Fraser: https://www.westfraser.com/

GreenLink Forestry Inc.: http://greenlinkforestry.com/

Damaged Timber: https://www.damagedtimber.com/

Giveaway

Enter YourForest10 at checkout at the Damaged Timber store for a 10% discount!

Quotes

34.37- 34.49: “Peatlands offer a much much better opportunity to deal with climate change issues and… also mitigate floods.”

Takeaways

Biological hotspots (04.42)

Edward speaks about his month-long river trip bursting with biodiversity which inspired him to write his book. He realized that peatlands provide great soil conditions as a medium for growth due to the accumulation of partially decayed vegetation in the wet, cold environment.

From pollutification to peatlands (13.09)

Edward explains that peatlands are formed by a kind of swamping. Swamps and marshes don’t accumulate as much peat as quickly as fens and bogs do, which are the primary accumulators of peat.

Wetlands are not wastelands (16.33)

Edward shares some superstitions surrounding wetlands that arose due to the methane making them glow in the dark. The smell of Sulphur dioxide arising from the peat as well as the diseases from the bacteria in the water supply have evoked a revulsion in the public.

An inexpensive, healthy ecosystem with carbon storage (28.01)

The peatland ecosystem has 5 times more carbon storage capacity than an equivalent area in the Amazon rainforest. Peat releases polysaccharides which block bacterial growth, it filters runoff from the farms to prevent the growth of algae in lakes, helps in preventing forest fires, mitigates floods, and hosts many carnivorous plants.

How to save the planet (37.01)

Edward has been advocating and teaching about controlled burning to thin out the forest, as indigenous communities do, which reduces the intensity of fires and makes more moisture available.

Restoring the peatland, restoring the habitat (51.60)

Edward laments that limiting peatlands prevents the 3 to 5 billion birds that migrate from the south to nest. He cites studies and recalls stories discussing how different species of animals take refuge in peatlands.

Protecting the protector of nature (1.06.59)

With investment toward restoring peatlands, Edward says that we can “have much more success storing carbon, filtering water, buffering forests from wildfire and protecting endangered species”.

Read, enjoy and learn! (1.18.25)

Edward’s aim in his book is to translate the debate of complex scientific issues to dinner-party conversation for the reader. He also aims to be more positive and centered, using optimism in his writing instead of picking sides in a battle.      

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