Category FAQs Search : Ecosystem
Question: What are peatbogs?
Answer: In the UK there are two main types of peatbogs: “blanket bogs” and “raised bogs”. Blanket bogs occur on hill tops which receive over 2000mm of rain a year and are called blanket bogs as they appear to be draped across the underlying topography. Raised bogs occur in valley bottoms where water flow is retarded allowing the establishment of bog species which further retards water flow leading to an accumulation of plant material. Raised bogs are called raised because the accumulation of plant material forms a raised dome above the surrounding topography and water table.
Peatlands are historic sinks of carbon, removing CO2 from the atmosphere and storing it in recalcitrant forms of carbon where acidic and water logged conditions prevent decomposition. Peatland environments are the UK’s largest store of carbon. The carbon stored in UK peatlands is equivalent to 8 years of total UK carbon emissions. Therefore, it is critical to preserve these peatlands and restore damaged peatlands to carbon sinks once more.
As peatlands are large carbon stores concerns have been raised over the future stability of these stores due to climate change. Climate change in the UK predicts warmer summer temperature, increased frequency of summer drought, and increased frequency and intensity of winter rainfall. It is predicted that climate change will affect peatbogs and the resilience of peatbogs to change is unknown.
(Source: Edge Hill University, 28 Jan 2021)
Source Link: https://www.edgehill.ac.uk/geography/research/peatlands-the-carbon-cycle-and-climatic-change/