8. Peatlands

Formation

Peat extraction and drainage

management

  1. Glaciers melt (began forming 7,000 years ago), vegetation grows around low lying areas
  1. Plant remains slowly compressed over hundreds of years to fill an entire lake
  1. Plants such as Sphagnum mosses colonise at the surface, transforming into a bog when they died.
  1. Saturated soil helps to form raised bogs as peat naturally formed a dome over the land below.
  1. 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