Peat destruction

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Destruction of peat bogs

What is peat?

Peat is formed in waterlogged, acidic fens and bogs over thousands of years by the growth of mosses and other plants, which absorb and ‘lock away’ carbon dioxide during photosynthesis. When the moss dies, the waterlogged bog provides anaerobic conditions which, together with the acidity of the bog, prevent the total decomposition of the moss. It accumulates in the bogs in a partially-decomposed state, forming peat.

The importance of peat

Peat bogs cover nearly 2-3% of the Earth’s surface and are an important carbon sink, containing more ‘locked-away’ carbon than the Earth’s forests.

However, the amount of biomass it contains means it can be dried and burnt as a fuel, which makes it an important energy source in some countries. Peat

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