By far the most significant plants in the Flow Country are the Sphagnum mosses, which are integral to creating the watery ecosystem and forming peat. There is a whole page dedicated to moss, discover more here.
Some of the most eye-catching plants on the bog, these bright flowers attract a variety of insects.
The lack of nutrients in the bog has led to some impressive adaptations to allow plants to survive. Some plants survive the lack of nutrients in the soil by finding their food elsewhere- they trap insects and secrete enzymes to digest them!
Peatlands have been historically undervalued. In the UK, 80% of peatlands have been degraded, often in attempts to drain them for agriculture and forestry. We now have a better understanding of peatlands and the vital role they play in the fight against climate change.
The Flow Country is excellent habitat for wildlife, but this ecosystem is valuable for people too! Ecosystem services are the direct and indirect contributions ecosystems make for human wellbeing. The Flow Country provides several important services for people.
While the Flow Country may look flat, it is complex and diverse ecosystem. The array of different mosses and other plants, and the various bodies of water provide habitats for many different types of invertebrates. The best time to see invertebrates in the Flow Country is between June and August. The information here is far […]
The cold far north of Scotland might not be the what comes to mind as ideal amphibian and reptile habitat. However, there are 6 different species of amphibian and reptile which can be found throughout the Flow Country!
More water than solid matter, these primitive plants build the bog.
