24.8 peat bogs

Question 1

what is a peat bog

Answer 1

a region of wet, spongy ground that contains decomposing vegetation

Question 2

what is undisturbed peatland and what happens when it is dried

Answer 2

• ‘carbon sink’

- once dried, peat can be used as a fuel (releases thermal energy and carbon dioxide)

Question 3

why is preserving existing peat bogs important

Answer 3

• takes thousands of years for peat bogs to form

- preserving helps prevent further climate change

Question 4

what do farmers/gardeners use peat for

Answer 4

• mixed with soil to improve soil structure and increase acidity
• has moisture-retaining properties when soil is dry
• prevents excess water killing roots when soil is wet

Question 5

what is a threat to the ecosystem

Answer 5

• peat stores nutrients but isn’t fertile

- commercial peat extraction is a major threat

Question 6

how does peat form

Answer 6

• peat forms when plant material is inhibited from full decaying by acidic/ anaerobic conditions
• occurs in wet/boggy areas

Question 7

describe the ecosystem (5)

Answer 7

• plants (sphagnum mosses, bog cotton, heathers) are adapted to thrive and grow in wet conditions with few nutrients
• support a wide range of insects
• lack of predators/ human disturbance makes it ideal for birds to nest and raise chicks
• abundance of insects, spiders, frogs, nutritious vegetation and berries = food
• large areas of open ground = ideal hunting grounds for birds of prey

Question 8

give an example of a peatland ecosystem

Answer 8

• lowland raised bogs
• rare and threatened
• need to be conserved to maintain biodiversity
• also contribute to flood management, erosion control downstream and carbon storage

Question 9

why have lowland raised bogs declined (3)

Answer 9

• afforestation
• peat extraction
• agricultural intensification (e.g. land drainage)

Question 10

what are steps to conserve lowland bogs

Answer 10

• ensuring peat/vegetation of the bog surface is as undisturbed/ wet as possible
• removal of seedling trees from the area (trees need water due to transpiration so have potential to dry peatland)
• using controlled grazing to maintain biodiversity (ensures diverse wetland surface in terms of structure and species composition)

Question 11

what organisations are working to preserve peatlands

Answer 11

• The Wildlife Trusts
• Natural England
• Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)