The oldest peat studies are related to investigations into the natural history of mires and to the geological mapping of superficial (Quaternary) deposits. At present, national mapping of peat reserves is done with the purpose of mapping energy peat reserves as well as locating and positioning other raw materials associated with peat use. Mapping also reveals the natural value of the mires. Peat applications include horticultural peat and environmental peat as well as use in green construction, as an oil remover, as a drying medium in animal husbandry (peat moss), as an insulator, as a filter, in textiles and as therapeutic peat (peloid).

An important task of mapping has become the production of information about mires to be used in land use planning forming a basis for town and country planning, protection programmes and construction.

In investigative coring, a Hiller borer was used from 1975 until 1983 and thereafter a Russian-type peat corer. An optical levelling instrument is used in determining height. and since 2001 this has also been done with high precision GPS equipment. A piston sampler, which measures volume precisely, has been mainly used in taking laboratory samples, and since 2000, also a large Russian-type peat corer. Observation points were positioned using a precision compass, a measuring tape and a zenith prism until 2001. The spatial data accuracy of the observation points is 20 m. Thereafter observation points have also been positioned using GPS equipment with an accuracy of <10 m.

Base and topographic maps at a scale of 1:10 000 and a scale of 1:20 000 have been used in locating and positioning peat investigation sites. A grid of study points has been positioned in the field with the help of base or topographic maps and by using a precision compass, measuring tape and zenith prism. Since 1998 GPS equipment has also been used to position observation points, a practice which became standard in 2001.

The height of the research points above sea level had been mainly determined by levelling. Where possible the levelling points have been fixed to the national triangulation network. There is not necessarily height data for each study point. Between 1975 and 2004, the research data have been recorded on observation forms and have been entered in the databases of the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK). Since 2005 observations have been entered into a field data storage device and have been transferred to the databases of the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK).

Undigitised peat data gathered by the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) before 1975 have also been used as to assist in the research.

An 'A form' has been made for each mire studied in 1975 and thereafter. This contains the data processing number of the mire, its name, the map sheet, the centroid, surface areas and a general verbal description of the mire and peat deposits.

A 'B form' has been made for each study point made in 1975 and thereafter. This contains the mire type, peat deposit and basal deposit data for the study point as well as the data processing number, and coordinate and height information.

From 1982 onwards, a 'C form' has been made for each depth observation point. This contains coordinate information, the data processing number and thickness data for the peat deposit. Additionally the form may include data on mire type, height and basal deposit type.

A 'L form' has been made for each sample taken from a sampling point between 1975 and 2004. This contains the data processing number, the study point number and volume data for the drill core, and the physical properties of the peat with depth as well as sulfur. Further, the form includes data on peat type and peat decomposition degree with depth.

From 2001, observation points were also positioned using GPS equipment with an accuracy of <10 m. Since 2005 observations have been entered into a field data storage device.

Based on the data in the B and C forms and primary geological data, depth contours have been interpreted and further plotted on to 1:10 000 base maps, from which they have been digitised into a vector format.

An 'A form' has been made for each mire studied in 1975 and thereafter. This contains the data processing number of the mire, its name, the map sheet, the centroid, surface areas and a general verbal description of the mire and peat deposits.

A 'B form' has been made for each study point made in 1975 and thereafter. This contains the mire type, peat deposit and basal deposit data for the study point as well as the data processing number, and coordinate and height information.

From 1982 onwards, a 'C form' has been made for each depth observation point. This contains coordinate information, the data processing number and thickness data for the peat deposit. Additionally the form may include data on mire type, height and basal deposit type.

A 'L form' has been made for each sample taken from a sampling point between 1975 and 2004. This contains the data processing number, the study point number and volume data for the drill core, and the physical properties of the peat with depth as well as sulfur. Further, the form includes data on peat type and peat decomposition degree with depth.

From 2001, observation points were also positioned using GPS equipment with an accuracy of <10 m. Since 2005 observations have been entered into a field data storage device.

Based on the data in the B and C forms and primary geological data, depth contours have been interpreted and further plotted on to 1:10 000 base maps, from which they have been digitised into a vector format.

In investigative coring, a Hiller borer was used from 1975 until 1983 and thereafter a Russian-type peat corer. An optical levelling instrument is used in determining height. and since 2001 this has also been done with high precision GPS equipment. A piston sampler, which measures volume precisely, has been mainly used in taking laboratory samples, and since 2000, also a large Russian-type peat corer.

Observation points were positioned using a precision compass, a measuring tape and a zenith prism until 2001. The spatial data accuracy of the observation points is 20 m. Thereafter observation points have also been positioned using GPS equipment with an accuracy of <10 m.

Turvekartoitus