Peatlands are naturally waterlogged ecosystems, in which slow rates of decomposition allow organic matter to build up over thousands of years, often to a depth of many metres.
Peatlands are naturally waterlogged ecosystems, in which slow rates of decomposition allow organic matter to build up over thousands of years, often to a depth of many metres. Healthy peatlands capture carbon dioxide, helping to reduce climate change. These unique ecosystems support plant species adapted to the wet conditions. The UK holds one of the world’s most extensive areas of rare blanket bog.
However, most crops require dry ground conditions, so many peatlands have been drained. Around 80% of UK peatland has been affected by human activities, including drainage, managed burning, afforestation, livestock grazing and air pollution. In South-East Asia, two-thirds of peat-swamp forest has been cleared since 1990, releasing more than 500 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.
Read more at: UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology
