European Peatlands

• 515,000 km sq• Undecomposed

organic material• Largest tracts in

northern regions• Cool wet climate

ideal for formation

Uses

Threats• HUMANS!

– “slowly renewing” resource – 1000-5000 years for one

peatland to be created!– Usual formation about 1

mm/year!

Status• Only 5 countries have > 50%

of original peatland remaining

• EU wants to end horticultural use

• EU attempting to protect wetlands for migrating birds

Environmental Issues• Drainage for agriculture and extraction causing:

– Release of carbon dioxide, methane and heavy metals– Loss of habitat – Risk of fires

Some native species of peat bogs• Early marsh-orchid (Dactylorhiza incarnata)• Large Heath Butterfly (Coenonympha tullia)

• Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago)

• Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica)

• Aquatic Warbler (Acrocephalus paludicola)

• Common sundew (Drosera rotundifolia)