Values
Wetlands
Peatlands are a type of wetland and are valued for their
capacity to store, filter and provide water. Wetlands, including
peatlands, also provide a habitat for a range of plant and
animal species. Peatlands are often described as 'sponges'
because in their natural state they typically contain 85-95%
water.
The impact peatlands have on the movement of water in a locality
can be very significant. Storing water in peatlands may become
even more important in the future if predicted climate changes,
including increased rainfall in Western Europe, occur.
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Reservoir in Mourne
mountains
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The runoff of rainfall from upland bogs is an important source
of much of our drinking water. Reservoirs that drain areas
of blanket bog on the Garron Plateau, the Sperrin Mountains
and Mourne Mountains provide much of our drinking water in
Northern Ireland.
The volume and quality of the water that drains from upland
bogs can be severely affected by activities on the bog. For
example machine cutting
of turf on Cuilcagh mountain had an adverse effect on
the Marble Arch Caves system.
Peatlands can also have a significant impact on water quality,
as excess nutrients in groundwater can be stored or transformed.
Groundwater entering fens often drain large catchments and
so may contain nutrients from a range of sources including
fertiliser from surrounding farmland. The fen vegetation can
also bind and filter sediments, which improves water quality.
The importance of peatlands as a habitat for wetland species
has been globally recognised in the Convention on Wetlands
of International Importance, commonly known as the Ramsar
Convention. The Ramsar
Convention was one of the first global intergovernmental
treaties on conservation and wise use of natural resources.
The UK signed and ratified the Convention and is therefore
committed to the designation and conservation of wetland sites.
In Northern Ireland 9 of the 15 designated Ramsar sites are
peatland sites.
Click here to view details on Ramsar sites in Northern
Ireland.
