The Peatland Ecology Research Group (PERG) was formed through the partnership of the university scientific community, the Canadian peat moss industry and federal and provincial agencies. Our common objective is the integrated sustainable management of Canadian peatlands.

The research team is headed by Line Rochefort of Laval University (Quebec, Canada). Since 1992, this research group has lead many projects, dealing with:

• the development of restoration techniques;
• plant recolonisation after harvesting;
• hydrology, geochemistry, microbiology of natural, harvested and restored peatlands;
• peatland conservation strategies
• the peatland populations of birds, arthropods and mammals;
• Sphagnum ecology and productivity;

Now, our projects are going on within the Industrial Research Chair in Peatland Management, with still the support and collaboration of the Canadian Peat industry. The chair program is divided in three main research avenues that will be explored for the next 5 years (2003-2008):

• Ecological restoration of peatland ecosystems after peat mining;
• Reclamation of abandoned peatlands;
• Produce of Sphagnum biomass for developing new growing mixes.

Work that we have done to date is recognized at the international level. In addition, our expertise in restoration and conservation has created a strong interest from the private sector, governments, and conservation organizations.