Formation
Global distribution of peatlands
Even though peatlands are found in all the continents, it is
difficult to calculate how much peatland there is in the world.
Not only is this information unavailable or incomplete, but
also the criteria used to classify peatlands can vary between
countries. The extent and nature of tropical peatlands is not
well known, but even in Europe and North America we only have
approximate ideas of their extent and distribution. The most
recent estimate is that there is over 4 million km2
of peatland worldwide. This is approximately 3% of the earth's
terrestrial and freshwater surface, and 10% of its global freshwater
resources.
Global distribution
of peatlands
EUROPE - Peatlands cover an area
of approximately 515,000km2 in Europe. While most
European countries have areas of peatlands, the most extensive
areas are in the north, particularly Finland, Sweden, Norway
and Russia. The cool wet climate of Western Europe, especially
Ireland and the United Kingdom, also provides ideal conditions
for the formation of peat.
AFRICA - Peatland occurs in many
African countries but generally only in very small areas, so
it does not form part of the typical landscape (see Table
1). The African countries with the largest areas of peatland
include Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Zambia.
THE AMERICAS - The largest area
of peatland (1,235,000km2) is found in Canada. The
United States of America also has substantial areas of peatland,
increasing northwards - 50% of the peatlands in the USA are
found in Alaska, although north of 60oN, low temperatures
mean conditions are less favourable for peat formation. Only
small areas of peatland are found in any of the Central American
countries. Peru and Brazil have the largest areas of peatlands
in South America.
ASIA - The largest proportion of
peatlands in Asia are found in Asian Russia. In Siberia alone
there are 706,000 km2 of peatland. Indonesia has
large areas of peat swamps which support forest vegetation.
AUSTRALIA AND ANTARCTIC - Peatlands
are not a very characteristic habitat in the Southern Hemisphere,
but small areas are found in several countries, including New
Zealand, Australia and even Antarctica. The peatlands of the
southern region may appear insignificant on a global scale but
are important because they differ from northern peatlands in
terms of vegetation and animal communities.
In all continents peatlands continue to be exploited in an
unsustainable manner.
Table 1. Non-European peatland
resources
| |
Area of peatland (km2)
|
% peatland
|
|
Africa
|
58,534
|
0.18
|
|
Asia
|
1,523,287
|
1.06
|
|
Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific and Antarctica
|
8,009
|
0.04
|
|
North, Central, and South America
|
2,050,746
|
4.83
|
