In praise of peat bogs
Peat bogs are an often overlooked but very important habitat in the UK. Peat
bogs are a unique wetland ecosystem which takes many thousands of years to form
and provides habitat for a diverse range of plants, insects and birds.
Formed of dense wetland, the waterlogged conditions and the bog’s acidity
prevents the vegetation from completely decaying when it dies. Instead, it
builds up very slowly over thousands of years to become a thick layer of peat.
Peatland is the earth's largest carbon store (storing 42% of all soil
carbon) and harvesting it releases this carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere.
Going peat free in your garden is one of the best ways you can help protect our
peatlands.