Peat

Question 1

What is Peat?

Answer 1

thick layer of black or dark brown sticky and wet soil material

Question 2

Features of peat

Answer 2

• colour die to high levels of partially decomposed compressed vegetable matter
• decomposition prevented by a waterlogged environment creating anaerobic conditions
• limits microbial decoposition, especially where temps are cooler and vegetation more acidic
• peat accumulation through much of halocere, forming around 7,000 ya

Question 3

Types of peat

Answer 3

• Fen = groundwater meets surface at spring or edges of open water
• Blanket = occur on hill tops, vast rainfall received and snowmelt, found in wetter N&W of UK
• Raised Bogs = valley bottoms, saturated soils frequently receiving through and overland flow, over time form dome shaped raised area of land

Question 4

Carbon storage in peat

Answer 4

• over half of UK soil carbon stored in peatlands
• 30% of Wales total carbon storage is in peat
• peat stores approximately double amount stored in world’s forests

Question 5

Global distribution of peat

Answer 5

• large areas in upland UK and poorly drained fenlands of E. Anglia
• peat soils in some parts of humid tropics are composed of remains of rainforest trees
• tropical peatlands of Indonesia are a product of low level impermeable rock and high rainfall

Question 6

Peat extraction and drainage

Answer 6

• drainage, burning, cultivation and extraction releases 2 billion tonnes of CO2 in atmosphere per year
• 20% peatlands in UK remain pristine
• extracted to burn as fuel for industrial use, traditionally used in rural areas, dried then burned
• Peat in Islay, Scotland, burned as part of whisky making, smoke flavours it, also used to smoke fish and meat

Question 7

How is peat indirectly damaged?

Answer 7

Drainage - wetland drained for farming, peat shrinks and eroded by wind, releasing CO2
Pollution - reduction in peat forming plant species from pollution in Manchester and Sheffield
Burning - moorland burning to manage game, exposed peat as vegetation removed
Grazing - peatlands support invasive species, slowing rate of sequestration and formation
Forestry - drained by forestry commission, emit CO2 and lose soil carbon via leaching and erosion

Question 8

Peatland management and carbon store restoration

Answer 8

• source of greenhouse gases, some still capturing
• important for maintaining biodiversity and help countries reach greenhouse gas reduction targets
• governments may be able to offset emissions by economic activity by restoring
• strong economic case made for widespread restoration, be part of carbon mitigation efforts

Question 9

EXAMPLE OF PEAT RESTORATION: Pennines, Yorkshire

Answer 9

• previously extensively drained and have been severely eroded by overland flow and gullying
• block erosional gullies to raise water table and retain moisture
• reintroduce wetland species, including cotton grass and sphagnum moss
• apply seed and fertiliser