Dirty, smelly and a useless waste of space. That’s the public image that peat bogs have acquired over the years. But top UK scientists have gathered forces to rid the so-called ‘Cinderella Habitats’ of this reputation, and help them to shine as modern ecosystem heroes.
Damaged peatlands are a huge source of emissions in the UK and worldwide, but restoring them can not only bring significant carbon savings but also vital improvements to wildlife and water management.
The IUCN UK Peatland Programme’s Commission of Inquiry into Peatland Restoration has drafted in leading UK scientists to undertake a thorough review of key peatland issues to help understand the multiple benefits of bogs. The first stage of the work is now complete, and the draft reviews are now available on the IUCN UK Peatland Programme’s website at http://www.iucn-uk-peatlandprogramme.org/commission.
Dr Steve Chapman, Scientific Co-ordinator of the Programme’s Commission of Inquiry into Peatland Restoration said: “Peatland restoration is already a high priority for governments internationally as well as in the UK. What this Inquiry wants to do is achieve scientific consensus on just how vital peatlands are as carbon stores, for biodiversity and other ecosystem services, to give policy makers a clear steer as to how to benefit the most from this resource.”
The eight draft reviews are open for public and peer consultation until 20 September. Early findings will be discussed at the ‘Investing in Peatlands – the Climate Challenge’ conference, at Durham University on 28 and 29 September and there will be an opportunity to feed further into the debate at an Open Inquiry event in Edinburgh on 3 November.
ENDS
Media contact: Nicola McGovern, Scottish Wildlife Trust Tel: 0131 312 4742, 07827 248117, Email: nmcgovern@swt.org.uk
This press release is distributed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust on behalf of IUCN. The Scottish Wildlife Trust is a stakeholder and partner in IUCN and is providing a press office function for this project.
Notes
1. The IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) UK Peatland Programme exists to promote peatland restoration in the UK and advocates the multiple benefits of peatlands through partnerships, strong science, sound policy and effective practice. The work of the Peatland Programme is overseen by a coalition of environmental bodies including the Scottish Wildlife Trust, John Muir Trust, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, RSPB, North Pennines AONB Partnership, Moors for the Future and the University of East London. The Programme is funded by the Peter De Haan Charitable Trust.
2. ‘Investing in Peatlands – the Climate Challenge’ conference is to be held at Durham University on 28-29 September. Keynote talks by Professor Hans Joosten, International Mire Conservation Group, Dr Sam Fankhauser, UK Climate Change Committee, and Professor Pete Smith, University of Aberdeen, will focus on the international importance of peatlands for climate change mitigation and adaptation and UK climate targets and the role of UK peatlands. The conference is held in association with the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership, which runs the Peatscapes programme. For more information visit www.iucn-uk-peatlandprogramme/conference2010.