Healthy and Damaged Peatland Flashcards
Ecosystem services of healthy peatland (6)
Net Carbon Sink Carbon store Supports unique biodiversity Supports good water quality A historic, cultural and environmental encyclopaedia Supporting sustainable land-use
Ecosystem services in damaged peatlands (6)
Net carbon source Dissolved organic carbon Carbon stocks depleted Loss of biodiversity Loss of historic archice Coloured peaty water
What are the 10 global priorities for peatlands?
Understand the distribution and state. Improve GHG emissions. Intact peatlands conserved. Prevent degradation. Restoration and sustainable management. Financial support provided. Innovative funding mechanisms. Local communities involved. True cost of peatland products accounted for. Share experiences and expertise
Percentage of UK’s peatland that remains near-natural
20%
Percentage of modified peatland in the UK.
80%
Main causes of peatland damage (3)
Post WW2 attempts to drain them for agricultural improvement and forestry.
Burning and grazing management.
Commercial peat extraction for horticulture.
Example of agriculture on peatlands.
In a recent FAO survey (2019), the total area of peatlands in the world used for agriculture is estimated at ca. 25 million ha of which almost 16 million (64%) for cropland and ca. 9 million (36%) for grassland.
Name one more ways in which peatland is damaged.
Peatland extraction fro fuel and horticulture and burning peatlands
How has the UK government tried to reduce damage to peatlands?
Sales of peat compost to gardeners will be banned from 2024.
Ministers will also give £50 million to support the restoration of 35,000 hectares of peatland by 2050, about 1% of the UKs total
What will be done?
Recover mire vegetation (peat forming plants) from other vegetation e.g. heath.
Increase the water table
What is the target?
restore 95% by 2040
