Peat bogzs

Question 1

What is a peat bog?

Answer 1

• region of wet, spongy ground that contains decomposing vegetation

Question 2

How is undisturbed peatland a ‘carbon sink’

Answer 2

it is a store of carbon dioxide

Question 3

What are thee used of dried peat?

Answer 3

• fuel

Question 4

What is the problem with using peat as fuel?

Answer 4

• burning peat releases thermal energy but released carbon dioxide in the atmosphere

Question 5

Why is preserving peat bogs important?

Answer 5

• takes many thousands of years for peat bogs to form
• the preservation of existing peat bogs is therefore an important component in preventing further climate change

Question 6

What is the alternative use of peat?

Answer 6

• important for farmers and gardeners, who mix it with soil to improve soil structure and increase acidity
• peat has very favourable moisture-retaining propeties when soil is dry, and prevents excess water killing roots whn soil is wet
• it can store nutrients but is not fertile in itself

Question 7

What is the main threat to the ecosystem?

Answer 7

• commercial peat extraction to supply gardners and nursery growers is a major threat to this ecosystem

Question 8

How does peat form?

Answer 8

• when plant material is inhibited from fully deaying by acidic and anaerobic conditions
  
  • this normally occurs in wet or boggy areas
  • therefore, peat is mainly compopsed of wetland vegetation including mosses, sedges and shrubs

Question 9

What is the biodiversity like on a peat bog?

Answer 9

• mosses, bog cotton or cottonsedge, and heather have adapted to grow and thrive in wet condition with few nutrients
• bogs also support a wide range of insects such as butterflies, moths, dragonflies, and damselflies
• lack of predators and human disturbance makes some peatlands ideal for birds to nest and bring up their chicks
• hunting growund for birds of prey

Question 10

How is there a loss of ecosystem?

Answer 10

• Lowland raised bogs are an example of peatland ecosystem
• they are rate and are threatened
• diminished by to 90% in the last 100 years

Question 11

Why is maintenance of lowland raised bogs ?

Answer 11

• maintain biodiversity
• flood management, erosion control downstream, and carbon storage

Question 12

What caused the drying out of the bogs?

Answer 12

• afforestation
• peat extraction
• agricultural intensification, e.g. land drainage

Question 13

How are lowland bogs conserved?

Answer 13

• key is maintaining or restoring appropriate water levels
• ensuring that peat and vegetation of the bog surface is as undistrubed and as wet as possible
  
  • bogs surrounded by ditches usually to prevent flooding
  • ditch blocking used to raise water table
• removal of seedling trees from the area
  
  • have high water requirement due to transpiration
  • therefore, any tree seedling that has the potential to remove water from an areas of peatland, or ability to support vegetation should be removed
• controlled grazing to maintain biodiversity
  
  • ensure a diverse wetland surface in terms of structure and species composition
  • provides habitat for rare insect species

Question 14

Who are working to preserve peat bogs?

Answer 14

• The Wildlife Trusts
• natural England
• RSPB