Drainage in peatland forests has onset a succession, where a mor humus has formed on the top of the peat. Our latest study provided a revolutionary result: trees on transformed drained peatlands grow better when the water table (WT) is rather close to the soil surface. We hypothesize that this is due to the unique hydrological and biogeochemical function of the mor layer. Growing forests with higher WT reduces carbon emissions, drought risks and nutrient export to water courses. The overarching aim is to quantify how mor layer affects the function of peatlands, and define sustainable water and forest management strategies in Nordic-Baltic region. We apply field data, manipulation experiments and ecosystem modelling. Understanding the mor layer function supports planning of water and forest management and adaptation to climate change. Our ambitious research provides a significant renewal in the science-based management of natural resources under a changing operative environment.

2025

2029