Peatlands are among the most critical ecosystems on earth. It is surprising then that despite public support, many environmental protections for peatland have failed to materialise. From peat cutting and burning to the continuing sale of peat-based compost, these habitats are under threat. Has their public image led to them being misunderstood and underappreciated?
In popular culture, peatlands have historically been depicted as forbidding landscapes. However, a closer examination reveals their indispensable role in combating climate change and maintaining biodiversity. During my PhD looking at Arctic wetlands, I had the opportunity to do fieldwork in the Arctic tundra in Alaska, where I investigated methane emissions from the permafrost. This sparked and cemented my fascination with wetlands.
The bog of eternal stench and other stories
We’ve not been kind to peatlands. From the haunted “dead marshes” in The Lord of the Rings to the eerie “bog of eternal stench” in Jim Henson’s Labyrinth, these environments are often portrayed as wastelands – places to be avoided. This negative imagery is even pervasive in our speech. You might be “bogged down with work”, or maybe you’re “swamped” with upcoming tasks or “mired”. This kind of language all feeds in to how we think about peatlands. Have these depictions influenced our opinion of their environmental value?
Contrary to their unfair grim reputation, peatlands are ecological powerhouses. They cover around 3 per cent of the world’s land surface but are responsible for storing between 25 and 30 per cent of the Earth’s soil organic carbon stock. This is more than the world’s tropical and temperate rainforests combined. Their secret lies in their retention of water; what is unique about peatlands and wetlands is that they are constantly flooded. The presence of water, and lack of oxygen, slows down the decomposition of organic material in the soil by microbes. Over thousands of years, that plant material builds up, allowing carbon to accumulate, creating peat.
But this skewed perception can have real-world consequences. Historically many landowners, seeing peatlands as unproductive, have drained these areas for agriculture, significantly reducing their extent and abilities. This not only destroys these unique ecosystems, setting back the prospects for expanding biodiversity, but also releases the vast amounts of carbon that are stored in our peatlands and wetlands.
An ecological powerhouse
Beyond carbon storage, peatlands are rich in biodiversity. They support a range of unique flora and fauna which have adapted to their permanently wet conditions. From rare bog orchids to birds such as golden plovers or hen harriers, the ecosystems surrounding and within peatlands are teeming with life. They are also crucial for the regulation of water quality and quantity, reducing the ever-growing risk of flooding and the maintenance of water supplies during particularly dry periods.
Under the threat of climate change, peatlands can be an exciting and essential tool for tackling rising temperatures. Often, the direction of climate solutions can be to look for sophisticated, technical answers. But with peatland, the best thing you can do is to leave it be. By allowing these habitats to do their own thing, they will store carbon and restore naturally.
