IUCN UK Commission of Inquiry on Peatlands

Peatlands are areas of land with a naturally accumulated layer of
peat. These are formed under waterlogged conditions from carbon
rich, dead and decaying plant material. In the UK mosses, mainly
Sphagnum
species, are the main formers of peat.
Peatlands are found in at least 175 countries – from the tropics to the poles
– and cover around 4 million km
2
or 3% of the world’s land area. In Europe,
peatlands extend to ca. 515,000 km
2
. The UK is amongst the top ten nations
of the world in terms of its total peatland area. The UK has between 9-15%
of Europe’s peatland area (46,000-77,000 km
2
) and about 13% of the world’s
blanket bog – one of the world’s rarest habitats. There are three main types
of peatland in the UK: blanket bogs, raised bogs and fens. The international
importance of the peatlands found in the UK give it an especial responsibility
for their management and conservation.
The IUCN UK Commission of Inquiry on Peatlands has gathered up-to-date
knowledge from science, policy and practice. The assessment focuses on
blanket bog and raised bog peatlands, because they represent over 95% of
all UK peatland habitat and offer an opportunity to make early and substantial
progress in delivering a combination of economic, social and biodiversity
gains. However, we recognise that lowland, river and groundwater-fed fen
peatlands are also vital carbon stores, as well as existing and potential areas
of rich biodiversity, which have also been subject to intensive and damaging
management. Fen peatlands share many of the issues affecting rain-fed
peatlands but with distinct differences in terms of their functions, threats
and pressures, which merit further investigation.
A multidisciplinary team of experts produced this Report. It provides an
authoritative assessment of the available evidence, based on peer-reviewed
scientific consensus about the state of peatlands, the impacts of dif
ferent
activities on peatland ecosystems and the services they provide and the
benefits of restoring and conserving them. The assessment explores
mechanisms and processes for peatland conservation action, recognising the
different social, economic and environmental drivers. The evidence-gathering
approach was inclusive, engaging individual land managers as well as a wide
range of organisations, which in itself has helped to foster joint action for
peatland conservation and restoration.
The Assessment Report sets out the main conclusions, highlighting gaps
and opportunities for further action. It identifies ways to secure additional
funding and develop expertise to help land managers restore the UK’s
peatlands and to allow decision makers to take better account of their
multiple benefits.