Why are peatlands so important?

Why are peatlands so important?

Peatlands are a type of wetland which are critical for preventing and mitigating the effects of climate change, preserving biodiversity, minimising flood risk, and ensuring safe drinking water. Peatlands are the largest natural terrestrial carbon store.

What animals live in Irish bogs?

Bogs are home to many interesting animals such as the Irish Hare, Common Frog, the Smooth Newt, Snipe, Skylarks, Meadow pipits, Dragonflies and the rare Irish Curlew.

Is Irish moss peat environmentally friendly?

It’s an incredibly important natural ally in the fight against climate change; it’s a rich haven for wildlife; it improves water quality and it helps reduce flood risk. Peat – sometimes called peat moss – is a life saver worth its weight in bags of gold.

Why is it called peat?

Decayed, dried sphagnum moss has the name of peat or peat moss. Because of the acidity of peat, however, bones are dissolved rather than preserved. These bogs have also been used to preserve food.

How does climate change affect peatlands?

Ongoing climate change may affect the ability of peatlands to take up and store carbon and GHGs. Warmer soils increase the rate of organic material decay and this may result in the release of the carbon stored in peatland soils. Human use of peatlands also alters rate of GHG exchange.

How much of the earth’s wetlands are peatlands?

3 percent
Peatlands cover just 3 percent of the Earth’s land, but store approximately 30 percent of the Earth’s soil carbon.

Are curlews rare in Ireland?

Eurasian Curlew is one of Ireland’s most endangered birds, having suffered an appalling 96\% slump in its breeding population since 1990. Fewer than 150 pairs are thought to remain; in the late 1980s, this was as high as 5,500.

What insects live in bogs?

However, bogs harbor a wide variety of insects, among them abundant dragonflies. Specialized bugs and butterflies, as well as their caterpillars, and several spider species can be found on the bog vegetation. Unicellular animals live in bog water or within hyalocytes of peat moss.

Is moss good for the environment?

Mosses are an environmentally benign way to conserve water, control erosion, filter rainwater, clean up hazardous chemicals, and sequester carbon. Also, mosses serve a valuable ecological role as bioindicators for air pollution, acid rain, water pollution, and wastewater treatment.

Why is peat harmful to the environment?

Normally plants decompose into carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. Because peat is formed in the watery environment of an oxygen-free bog it decomposes into carbon. It immediately starts emitting greenhouse gases. After mining, the remaining peat continues to release carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere.

Is peat moss alive?

An intact peat moss plant is partly alive and partly dead. Its top part is alive; growth occurs exclusively at the plant’s head. The bottom part of the plant has died from lack of light, and is already partially decayed. No bog can exist without peat moss!

How can you grow moss?

How to Grow Moss by Transplanting (For Soil)

1. Upturn and Weed the Area. Using a pitchfork, upturn and weed the soil in the area where you want to plant your moss.
2. Test Your Soil’s Acidity. Using your pH test strips, conduct a test on your soil to gauge its pH level.
3. Wet the Planting Area.
4. Lay the Moss.
5. Keep the Moss Moist.