The ecological status of Puhatu cutover peatland

The aim of the present study was estimation of the ecological status of Puhatu cutover peatland in Norteast Estonia. Results of the samples showed that the pH of peat in Puhatu cutover peatland was in the range 5.1-5.5. The nutrients concentrations of peat (%) varied as follows: total N 2.1-2.9, total P 0.016-0.032, K 0.004-0.02, Ca 1.2-3.5 and Mg 0.08-0.2. The height of pines was 3.0 ± 0.6 m and height growth in current year was up to 73 cm. Comparison of our results with the scale presented by Ingestad suggests that the content of P, K and Mg in pine needles and birch leaves is lower and Ca content significantly higher than the optimum level.