european peatlands 515,000 km sq undecomposed organic material largest tracts in northern regions...
DESCRIPTION
Threats HUMANS! – “slowly renewing” resource – years for one peatland to be created! – Usual formation about 1 mm/year! Status Only 5 countries have > 50% of original peatland remaining EU wants to end horticultural use EU attempting to protect wetlands for migrating birdsTRANSCRIPT
European Peatlands
• 515,000 km sq• Undecomposed
organic material• Largest tracts in
northern regions• Cool wet climate
ideal for formation
Uses
Threats• HUMANS!
– “slowly renewing” resource – 1000-5000 years for one
peatland to be created!– Usual formation about 1
mm/year!
Status• Only 5 countries have > 50%
of original peatland remaining
• EU wants to end horticultural use
• EU attempting to protect wetlands for migrating birds
Environmental Issues• Drainage for agriculture and extraction causing:
– Release of carbon dioxide, methane and heavy metals– Loss of habitat – Risk of fires
Some native species of peat bogs• Early marsh-orchid (Dactylorhiza incarnata)• Large Heath Butterfly (Coenonympha tullia)
• Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago)
• Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica)
• Aquatic Warbler (Acrocephalus paludicola)
• Common sundew (Drosera rotundifolia)