Peatlands

Peatlands: Linking carbon, water, biodiversity and climate content

Peatlands: Linking carbon, water, biodiversity and climate

Peatlands may cover about 3% of the global land area but contain 25% of the global soil carbon stock: that is twice the amount found in the world’s forests. In Scotland, peatland soils cover around 20 % of the land area holding an estimated 1600 million tonnes of carbon and the Scottish Government’s climate change plan 2018-2032 update aims to restore at least 250,000 hectares of degraded peatland by 2030. Healthy peatlands act not only as important carbon sinks, but contain rich habitat and biodiversity, including a wide range of threatened and endemic species; improve water quality and reduce flooding risk; and provide grazing land and recreational spaces. The ERI benefits from unrivalled access to The Flow Country peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland: covering 4000 km2, they represent largest expanse of blanket bog in Europe and a site of global significance.

Priorities:

  • Peatlands resilience in a changing world
  • The fate of organic matter from source to sink
  • Sustainable land use and thriving communities

landscape shot of the flow country in Sutherland

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Scotland’s Flow Country secures World Heritage status content

Scotland’s Flow Country secures World Heritage status

Flow Country Achieves World Heritage Status

Scotland's Flow Country, the world's largest and most pristine blanket bog, has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status. This landmark recognition, granted at the World Heritage Committee's meeting in New Delhi, underscores the site’s exceptional global importance. As the UK mainland’s first World Heritage Site recognised specifically for its peatlands, the Flow Country's designation promises significant environmental, social, and economic benefits.

The Environmental Research Institute (ERI) is proud to be a key partner in The Flow Country Partnership, the collaborative effort that secured this prestigious status. Our involvement reflects our commitment to preserving and promoting this vital ecosystem. Discover more about this milestone achievement and its impact on the region.

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