Sphagnum moss
Sphagnum mosses carpet the ground with colour on our marshes, heaths and moors. They play a vital role in the creation of peat bogs: by storing water in their spongy forms, they prevent the decay…
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Species Showcase: Sphagnum
Sphagnum mosses are some of the most important peat-forming organisms in the UK. Healthy, low-nutrient peatlands, such as blanket bogs and raised bogs, are characterised by dense carpets of Sphagnum consisting of a multitude of individual plants. These provide a structurally complex substrate in which other organisms can thrive. Sphagnum can also be an important component of ground cover in a variety of fen types, as well as in wet woodlands ranging from fen alder carr to Atlantic oak and birch woods.
Specially commissioned film celebrates 'The most important plant in the world'
The IUCN UK Peatland Programme has commissioned the first in a series of short films, celebrating the importance of peatlands and work to restore and protect them.
Sphagnum is a key ingredient of natural flood management
In 2008 iCASP published research that showed how water running over Sphagnum on blanket peatlands moved much more slowly (often ten times slower) than water running through sedges or bare peat.…
Sphagnum Mosses
Learn how to recognise and identify the Sphagnum mosses of the UK with tutor Ryan Clark.
Study monitors single-species sphagnum plug growth on blanket bog
The study by Moors for the Future Partnership was carried out to discover the most effective methods of planting various species of sphagnum.
Introducing our species showcases
Throughout 2024, we are celebrating peatland biodiversity through a series of monthly showcases featuring a particular peatland species or species group. Our first showcase introduces the Sphagnum…
Peat-free products - protecting peatlands, climate, gardening, pot-plants & salad
An Innovate UK project demonstrated success using sustainably sourced Sphagnum (from BeadaMoss®), with commercial-scale trials starting this year. Government funding support to further develop new…
Volunteer group and conservation organisations join forces to improve the health of local moorland
Moors for the Future Partnership has been working with Friends of Crompton Moor carrying out sphagnum moss planting and vegetation monitoring.
Moors for the Future Partnership releases series of scientific and monitoring reports from MoorLIFE 2020 project
Results of six-year peatland restoration monitoring work by MoorLIFE 2020 highlights the many benefits of peatland restoration. One study found that planting sphagnum reduces both the likelihood…
Sphagnum Pioneers: Community involvement and creative practice in peatland restoration
Lucy Lee and Rose Ferraby at the Peat Café.
Tracking the Colour of Peatlands: community science project
Dr Scott J. Davidson (University of Plymouth) has developed a community-science driven project to look at how peatlands change colour across the growing season (also known as green leaf phenology…