Feasibility in using historical data to perceive changes in peatlands : Changes in peatland's structure and vegetation over the past 91 years

Energy shortages in the early 20th century sparked an intensive survey of peatlands fromsouthern to middle Sweden. In this study a survey of peatlands northeast of Uppsala wasconducted that aimed to determine the feasibility of using diaries from the surveys in the early 20th century to assess possible changes in peat structure and vegetation over the last 90 years. Despite differences in the assessments of both determination of peat and vegetation, comparisons of the two surveys indicated a general change to drier and more nutrient-richconditions in surveyed peatlands. Furthermore, peatland thickness had reduced during the past 90 years most likely because of changes in hydrology caused by wetland drainage. Althoughthe method here was unable to compare coring sites within peatlands at both time periods it did give indications of general changes of peatlands over time. Results suggest that studies ofthe peatlands in Sweden can be linked to surveys from the early 20th century and providefurther information in understanding recent changes in peatlands.