Peatland Issues
| Erosion |
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Peatlands are sensitive habitats that are easily affected
by both natural and human factors. Natural processes that
affect peatlands in Northern Ireland include erosion and
climate change. Human activities including peat cutting,
burning and overgrazing can make these natural factors worse,
threatening the biodiversity and often the very existence
of peatlands.
Natural factors
The exposed nature of blanket bogs leaves them susceptible
to erosion. Changes in rainfall levels can also alter peatlands:
- A decrease in rainfall combined with a milder climate
allowed trees to colonise raised bogs in Ireland for a
short period of time 4,500 years ago.
- Increased rainfall, while generally thought to benefit
peatlands, can also contribute to problems such as bog
bursts on steep slopes, when saturated peat becomes unstable
and slides away from the underlying rock.
Human factors
Peatlands have been used by man for centuries, but in the
latter part of the 20th century growing demands for energy,
agriculture, horticulture and forestry led to a rapid increase
in the commercial use of peatlands. At the same time, an
increasing awareness of the ecological, archaeological,
landscape and scientific value of peatlands led to demands
for a more sustainable approach to our use of peatlands.
The Northern Ireland Countryside Survey stated that habitats
with the largest rate of decline, smallest area and greatest
biodiversity should be the key targets for protection. Fens
and bogs meet all of these criteria and are some of the
most threatened habitats in Northern Ireland.
Human activities affect three key characteristics of peatlands:
- water content
- nutrient levels
- surface vegetation
This part of the site describes issues that threaten the
balance of these conditions or lead to the destruction of
peatlands.
