One million hectares of UK peatland will be restored to good condition by 2020, the IUCN UK Peatland Programme has announced.
The organisation set the challenge in an effort to help tackle
climate change, as well as to help with water management and biodiversity
conservation.
The bogs have been damaged by peat extraction, burning, grazing, drainage and forestry planting. The IUCN says they contain three billion tonnes of stored carbon which will be released into the atmosphere if they are not maintained - speeding up global warming.
* Subscribe to Country Life; Country Life on Ipad
Director of the IUCN UK Peatland Programme Clifton Bain calls the peatland's current state a 'compost time bomb'.
He says: 'There are clear costs benefits to society in avoiding peatland damage.
'We now need to see the true value of these peatland benefits reflected in the support given to the land managers who protect and enhance them.'
The IUCN along with other experts is calling for support from businesses to put techniques in place that will restore the vegetation and hydrology in the bogs.
Birmingham City University professor Mark Reed says: 'With such an important and urgent environmental challenge we need the support of the corporate sector to help pay for this work now and avoid future far greater costs to society from damaged peatlands.'
* Follow Country Life magazine on Twitter
* Find out how Prince Charles is helping to fight climate change
-
The BBC and the contender for the greatest April Fool's prank ever playedAs April 1 looms, Martin Fone tells the tale of one of the finest stunts ever pulled off.
-
How to disconnect from reality and feel like a new person in under 72 hoursOur round-up of the best British retreats that work wellness wonders in under 72 hours.
