Peatland Benefits

Image: Flow Country © RSPB

Peatland Benefits

The importance of peatlands comes from the remarkable services they provide to society, which includes wildlife habitat, global carbon store, drinking water filtration, flood prevention, historical archive, grazing land and recreational areas.  

"Peatlands are among the most valuable ecosystems on Earth and a stark example of how important our natural environment is to our wellbeing. Occupying just 3% of the Earth’s land surface, peatlands are our largest carbon store on land. They are places where people derive clean water and food, and can act as buffers for environmental disasters, such as flooding. They are also of global significance for biodiversity with the majority of peatland species and habitats rare, threatened or declining." 

Inger Anderson, Director of the IUCN

Appreciation of the wide ranging impacts and benefits of peatlands is relatively recent and as a consequence the majority have been historically managed in a way that has left them in a damaged state, with an estimated 80% of UK peatlands in some way affected. 

Ecosystem services in a healthy peatland

 

Peat compost B&Q
The Wildlife Trusts unveil Peat-free Gardening Guide The Wildlife Trusts have unveiled a new handbook to help people go peat-free in their gardens and…
Restoration Risley Moss. Photo credit: Paul Thomas
Natural England launches peatland ‘toolbox talk’ on recognising archaeology during restorationNatural England worked with Wessex Archaeology to create a historic environment peatland ‘toolbox…
Ugie Peatland Partnership and Beam Suntory Landowner event
Ugie Peatland Partnership and Beam Suntory Landowner eventIn February 2023, RSPB as part of the Ugie Peatland Partnership, hosted an event, co-organised and…
Buchan Bog Buddies
Buchan Bog Buddies The RSPB and Aberdeenshire Rangers have been working with P6/P7 classes at New Pitsligo and…
Global Peatlands Initiative
Global Peatlands Initiative project: State of the Worlds Peatlands On the 17th of November 2022, at the UNFCCC COP27 in Sharm El-Sheik, Egypt, the Global Peatlands…
Area of Dartmoor undergoing restoration methods, January 2023
South West Peatland Partnership: Counting sheep to help restore peat across the UK's South WestPeatland restoration isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. It takes a range of innovative techniques…
Birchinlee (c) Moors for the Future Partnership
Moors for the Future Partnership releases series of scientific and monitoring reports from MoorLIFE 2020 projectIn September 2022, MoorLIFE 2020, the landmark project which had been the focus of much of the work…
Sphagnum moss regrowth rewards the peatland restoration action undertaken by NPAP at Tywi Forest
Wales Peatland Action By mid-2022 National Peatland Action Programme (NPAP) could reflect on a successful initial two…
Cuilcagh Mountain after restoration work
Ulster Wildlife webinar: Lessons learned: 20+ years on from blanket bog restoration at Cuilcagh MountainJoin Ulster Wildlife, RPS Ireland and the Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark to discuss what…
Peatland code version 2.0
Launch of the Peatland Code Version 2.0The IUCN UK Peatland Programme has today launched a new and highly anticipated update to the…
Molinia, Peatlands and Climate Transition Workshop
Save the Date: Molinia, Peatlands and Climate Transition Workshop’Hosted by National Trust Marsden Moor, the ‘Molinia, Peatlands and Climate Transition Workshop’…
Demonstrating Success cover art
Peat-free Horticulture Addendum: Further case studies released This addendum to the IUCN UK Peatland Programme's 'Demonstrating Success - Peat-free Horticulture'…