2.1 Introduction -- 2.2 Principles of classification -- 2.2.1 The purpose of classification and terminology -- 2.2.2 Classification and variables -- 2.2.3 Resolution, hierarchy, and organisational level -- 2.3 Early mire descriptions and classification -- 2.4 Topological classification -- 2.4.1 Introduction -- 2.4.2 Water table in relation to peat formation -- 2.4.3 The origin of the water -- 2.4.4 pH and base saturation -- 2.4.5 Nutrient availability -- 2.4.6 Vegetation composition -- 2.4.7 Physiognomy and Finnish mire site types -- 2.4.8 Ecological mire types and the vegetation form concept -- 2.4.9 Habitat types -- 2.4.10 Peat types and stratigraphy -- 2.4.11 Peat accumulation and peatland degradation -- 2.5 The classification of mire areas and patterns -- 2.5.1 Principles and history -- 2.5.2 Mire eros (picotope) -- 2.5.3 Mire features (nanotope) -- 2.5.4 Mire sites (microtope) -- 2.6 The classification of mire massifs (mesotope) -- 2.6.1 Principles of mire massif classification -- 2.6.2 Topographic (geomorphic) classification -- 2.6.3 (Hydro-)morphic classification -- 2.6.4 Hydrogeomorphic classification -- 2.6.5 Hydrogenetic mire classification -- 2.7 The classification of mire complexes (macrotope) -- 2.8 Towards integration? -- 3 Mire and peatland terms and definitions in Europe / Hans Joosten, John Couwenberg, Asbjørn Moen and Franziska Tanneberger -- 3.1 Introduction -- 3.2 The justification of chosen definitions -- 3.3 Peatland terms: origins and relations. The European continent features an impressive variety of mires and peatlands. Polygon, palsa, and aapa mires, concentric and eccentric bogs, spring and percolation fens, coastal marshes, blanket bogs, saline fens, acid, alkaline, nutrient poor, nutrient rich: the peatlands of Europe respresent unique ecosystem biodiversity and harbour a large treasure of flora and fauna typical of peat forming environments. Europe is also the continent with the longest history, the highest intensity, and the largest variety of peatland use, and as a consequence it has the highest proportion of degraded peatland wordwide. Peatland science and technology developed in parallel to exploitation and it is therefore not surprising that almost all modern peatland terms and concepts originated and matured in Europe. Their massive degradation also kindled the desire to protect these beautiful landscape, full of peculiar wildlife. In recent decades attention has widened to include additional vital ecosystem services that natural and restored peatlands (Schoockius 1658) contained a chapter on restoration. Yet, only now there is a rising awareness of the necessity to conserve and restore mires and peatlands in order to avoid adverse environmental and economic effects. The book provides extensive information for scientists, practitioners, peatland enthusiats, decision-makers, and anyone interested in vegetation, landscapes and history of the European continent. The book will seve as a baseline for peatland science and conservation in Europe for current and future generations.
