What Are Peatlands?

Peatlands are unique ecosystems, formed by layers of carbon-rich, waterlogged plant material that gradually accumulate as peat. Although they cover only 3% of the world’s land area (around 4 million square kilometres), peatlands are the planet’s largest terrestrial carbon store, locking away over 550 gigatonnes of carbon – twice the amount stored in all forests combined. This unique ecosystem is crucial for climate regulation, acting as a massive carbon sink when in healthy condition.

Found in over 180 countries, peatlands exist across a wide range of climates and landscapes. From Europe’s forested peatlands to tropical peat swamps in Southeast Asia, permafrost peatlands in Russia and Canada, and high-altitude peatlands in the Andes and Himalayas, these ecosystems support biodiversity worldwide.

Benefits of Healthy Peatlands

Healthy peatlands are among the most carbon-rich ecosystems, storing twice as much carbon as the world’s forests. In the UK alone, peatlands hold an estimated 3.2 billion tonnes of carbon. They also:

Capture CO₂ through photosynthesis, contributing to climate cooling.
Filter water naturally, reducing flood risks and enhancing water quality.
Support a diverse range of plant and wildlife species, promoting biodiversity.

Peatlands and Biodiversity

Peatlands are not only vital for carbon storage but are also some of the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth. These unique habitats support a wide range of species that are specially adapted to the acidic, nutrient-poor, and waterlogged conditions.

Plant Diversity: Peatlands are home to a variety of specialized plant species, including sphagnum mosses, cotton grasses, heathers, and a host of other mosses, ferns, and wildflowers. These plants are essential for maintaining the structure and health of peatlands, and they provide food and shelter for a wide range of wildlife.
Wildlife Habitats: Peatlands support an array of bird species, such as curlews, lapwings, and redshanks, which rely on these areas for breeding and feeding. They are also crucial habitats for rare and threatened species like the bog rosemary, carnivorous sundews, and the British red deer. Insects, amphibians, and small mammals also thrive in peatland environments, benefiting from the abundant vegetation and the wet, sheltered conditions.
Ecosystem Services: Peatlands also provide essential ecosystem services that support biodiversity beyond their immediate area. By regulating water flow, preventing soil erosion, and maintaining clean water, peatlands contribute to the broader ecological health of the surrounding landscape.

Peatlands in the UK

Around 10% of the UK’s land area is covered by peatlands. Today, only about 20% of UK peatlands remain in a near-natural state, with the remaining 80% altered by past and present land management practices. This degradation compromises their ability to store carbon, turning them from carbon sinks into carbon sources that contribute to climate change. Restoration is vital to ensure these landscapes continue capturing carbon, protecting biodiversity, and supporting climate resilience. Peatlands in the UK fall into three main types: blanket bogs, raised bogs, and fens.

Blanket Bogs

Rare globally but widespread in the UK, blanket bogs form a continuous layer of peat, typically in upland areas, but sometimes in lowlands as well. They are nutrient-poor, acidic habitats fed solely by rainfall, supporting specialised bog vegetation.

Raised Bogs

Found mainly in lowlands, raised bogs form dome-like peat structures that rise above the surrounding terrain. Similar to blanket bogs, these areas are nutrient-poor, acidic, and dependent on rainfall.

Fens

Unlike bogs, fens receive water that is mineral-rich, resulting in a diverse range of vegetation. Fens range from base-poor types with bog-like plants to richer fens with sedges, reeds, and brown mosses.

The Flow Country: Europe’s Largest Blanket Peat Bog

The Flow Country in northern Scotland is home to Europe’s largest blanket bog, storing over 400 million tonnes of carbon—more than twice the amount in all of Britain’s woodlands. This area plays a critical role in conserving biodiversity and mitigating climate change. However, extensive degradation threatens its carbon-storing capacity, underscoring the urgent need for restoration and sustainable management.

The Flow Country Green Finance Initiative is a locally-led initiative to raise money to restore peatlands at scale, blending public and private finance. It aims to support community development goals, create high quality jobs, carbon investments, ecosystem services, and support circular business models.