Member

Peat bogs require a positive water balance and are ombrotrophic—that is, they are only rain fed. More rainwater must go into the system than leaves it via either drainage or transpiration. Blocking drains built with taxpayers’ money some years ago to improve farm production has and will continue to help some peatlands, but not enough. Recent research shows that, under all UK climate projections, there will be substantial losses in areas suitable for healthy peatland in the foreseeable future. Sphagnum desiccation will increase due to drought conditions, and there will be a migration to more drought-tolerant species of vegetation. There remains the problem of wildfires, and it is surely folly to stop an appropriate management approach to mitigating this during the restoration phase.