8. Peatlands
Formation
Peat extraction and drainage
management
- Glaciers melt (began forming 7,000 years ago), vegetation grows around low lying areas
- Plant remains slowly compressed over hundreds of years to fill an entire lake
- Plants such as Sphagnum mosses colonise at the surface, transforming into a bog when they died.
- Saturated soil helps to form raised bogs as peat naturally formed a dome over the land below.
- waterlogged environment creates oxygen-deficient anaerobic conditions. limits decomposition of organic matter
organic peat is composed of 50% carbon
90% of UK peatlands are in Scotland and equivalent of 3 years UK carbon emissions.
Globally, 2/3 peatlands located in Indonesia. Stores double the amount of carbon stored in all forests
drainage, burning, cultivating and cutting of peatlands releases approximately 2 billion tonnes CO2 every year.
UK
traditionally used in rural areas as a fuel source
produce smoked fish and meat
sold for commercial use in garden centres
livestock grazing
introduced invasive vegetation species to 1/3 of UK peatlands
Indonesia + Russia have the most peatlands
contributed to half of Indonesias carbon emissions
scientific findings and monitors
Aims to decrease carbon emissions by 25%, with an extra 15% if international aid is given
Dartmoor Mires Project
drains have been blocked and trees removed
Reintroduce species such as sphagnum moss and cottongrass
Create peat dams
Blocking up erosion gullying to hold water in for recovery
Dig ditches to drain land, oxidising the peat which turns to CO2 and disappears
maintain biodiversity
functional global carbon market
direct affects