Pilot project in Belarus: Controlled firing-out of dry vegetation

Implemented controlled firing-out of dry vegetation aiming at elevation of producing capacity of peatland ecosystems  and quantity of globally endangered species on the basis of scientific and legal rationale and under the supervision of the Drahičin Department of Ministry of Extraordinary Situations of the Republic of Belarus on the territory of 7 000 ha of Zvanec reserve.

Peatland is overgrowing with reed which leads to degradation of habitats of numerous fauna species listed in the Red Data Book of Belarus. Long-standing accumulation of old vegetation prevents normal  sedge growing and leads to general productivity reduction of fen mires. Beside this multi-year reed concentration  hampers its usage as constructive material because only this year steams can be used.

Controlled firing-out of dry vegetation is necessity and least-evil solution to prevent  fen mires from filling up by vegetation.

As practice shows if controlled firing-out was not implemented, local population burns peatlands out in spring which has catastrophic aftermath.

Appropriate scientific and legal rationale of implementation of controlled firing-out of dry vegetation aiming at elevation of producing capacity of peatland ecosystems and quantity of globally endangered species has been prepared. Required permissions from local land users obtained. Contract with Drahičin Department of Ministry of Extraordinary Situations of the Republic of Belarus on implementing controlled firing-out prepared and signed. All activities were implemented in the middle of February in compliance with the law of the Republic of Belarus “On the Animal World” and management plan of Zvanec reserve.

Favorable conditions:

• Appropriate humidity of dry vegetation (e.g. there were 4 such days only for the period of 2 months);
• Moderate wind (about 2 m/s);
• Dry sedge mass under the reed;
• Water level should be 10-15 cm above hillocks.

Optimal conditions:

• Ice coverage on the peatland;
• Snow coverage in the forest;
• Existence of natural barriers (channels, rivers, roads)

The result of experimental works was almost optimal. Excessive dry vegetation burned out, reed was almost absent, soil surface (peat) was skipped, sedge apical cones survived, and sufficient residues of dry vegetation for nests construction.