Methods and apparatuses for collecting the acrotelm of peat bogs

Abstract

This disclosure describes a method of collection of sphagnum moss comprising a motorized cutting and collection of at least a portion of the sphagnum moss. The cutting is performed in a direction substantially parallel to the ground and in a direction substantially vertical to the ground, while leaving the sphagnum moss anchored to the ground.

1 . A method of collection of sphagnum moss comprising a motorized cutting and collection of at least a portion of the sphagnum moss wherein the cutting is performed in a direction substantially parallel to the ground and in a direction substantially vertical to the ground, while leaving the sphagnum moss anchored to the ground. 
     
     
         2 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the cutting is performed with at least one blade or saw. 
     
     
         3 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the cutting is performed with at least one chainsaw. 
     
     
         4 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the cutting and collection is performed in a motorized manner while exerting a pressure on the ground of about 2.5 to about 35 kPa. 
     
     
         5 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the cutting is performed by horizontal sawing at a cutting angle of about 0 0  to about 10° with respect to the ground. 
     
     
         6 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the cutting is performed so as to collect a portion measuring about 2 cm to about 40 cm. 
     
     
         7 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the cutting is performed so as to collect a portion measuring about 5 cm to about 20 cm. 
     
     
         8 . Method according to  claim 2 , wherein the cutting is performed at a saw speed of about 60 to about 300 meters per minute. 
     
     
         9 . Method according to  claim 8 , wherein the saw is a chainsaw. 
     
     
         10 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein a vertical cut is made at an angle of more or less 45° relative to a vertical axis. 
     
     
         11 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein a vertical cut is made at an angle of more or less 10° relative to a vertical axis. 
     
     
         12 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein a vertical cut is performed at two locations independently at an angle of more or less 45° relative to a vertical axis at each of the locations. 
     
     
         13 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein a vertical cut is performed at two locations independently at an angle of more or less 10° relative to a vertical axis at each of the locations. 
     
     
         14 . Method according to  claim 12 , wherein the vertical cut is performed with a distance of about 40 to about 400 cm between the two locations. 
     
     
         15 . Method according to  claim 12 , wherein the vertical cut is performed with a distance of about 50 to about 150 cm between the two locations. 
     
     
         16 . Method according to  claim 1 , comprising an average gathering speed of about 0.1 to about 1.5 km/hour. 
     
     
         17 . Method according to  claim 1 , comprising an average gathering speed of about 0.3 to about 1.1 km/hour. 
     
     
         18 . Method according to  claim 1 , comprising an average gathering speed of about 0.5 to about 1.0 km/hour. 
     
     
         19 . Method according to  claim 1 , comprising a gathering volume of about 250 to about 1500 m 3 /hectare. 
     
     
         20 . Method according to  claim 2 , wherein the is performed at a rotational speed of about 200 to about 2000 rpm. 
     
     
         21 . Method according to  claim 2 , wherein the is performed at a rotational speed of about 600 to about 1600 rpm. 
     
     
         22 . Method according to  claim 8 , wherein a sprocket is rotated, said sprocket having a radius of about 1 to about 15 cm.