Peat

spongy material formed by the partial decomposition of organic matter,

primarily plant material, in wetlands such as swamps, muskegs, bogs, fens,
and moors. The development of peat is favoured by warm moist climatic
conditions; however, peat can develop even in cold regions such
as Siberia, Canada, and Scandinavia. Beyond its considerable ecological
importance, peat is economically important as a carbon sink, as a source of
fuel, and as raw material in horticulture and other industries.

Peat moss (Sphagnum) is one of the most common constituents of

peat. Peatification is influenced by several factors, including the nature of the
plant material deposited, the availability of nutrients to support bacterial life,
the availability of oxygen, the acidity of the peat, and temperature. Some
wetlands result from high groundwater levels, whereas some elevated bogs are
the result of heavy rainfall. Although the rate of plant growth in cold regions is
very slow, the rate of decomposition of organic matter is also very slow. Plant
material decomposes more rapidly in groundwater rich in nutrients than in
elevated bogs with heavy rainfall. The presence of oxygen (aerobic conditions)
is necessary for fungal and microbial activity that promotes decomposition,
but peat is formed in waterlogged soils with little or no access to oxygen
(anaerobic conditions), largely preventing the complete decomposition of
organic material. The formation of abundant peat was not possible before
land plants spread widely during and after the Devonian Period (beginning
approximately 419.2 million years ago).

Peat formation is the process of creating peat, which is a spongy material formed by the partial
decomposition of organic matter, primarily plant material, in wetlands. Peat formation occurs when
the rate of biomass production by plants is greater than the rate of decomposition by
microorganisms, resulting in the accumulation of partially decayed plant remains. Peat formation is
influenced by several factors, such as climate, hydrology, vegetation, and time 123
Peat formation is the first step in the formation of coal, which is a fossil fuel that can be used for
energy production. Peat can also be used as a fuel, but it has a lower energy content and higher
moisture content than coal. Peat can also be used for horticulture, as it has good water retention and
aeration properties. However, peat extraction has negative impacts on the environment, such as
greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity loss, and water pollution 124
Peatlands are natural ecosystems that cover about 3% of the Earth’s land surface and store up to 550
gigatonnes of carbon, which is more than all other vegetation types combined. Peatlands are also
important habitats for many species of plants and animals, and provide various ecosystem services,
such as water regulation, flood control, and climate regulation. Peatlands are threatened by human
activities, such as drainage, agriculture, forestry, mining, and urbanization. Therefore, peatland
conservation and restoration are essential for mitigating climate change and preserving biodiversity

Peat is a type of organic matter that forms in wetlands where waterlogged conditions prevent the full
decomposition of plant material. Peatlands are natural areas that are covered by peat, and they can
be found in different regions of the world, depending on the climate, vegetation, and hydrology.
Some of the locations where peatlands occur are:

 Boreal and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, especially Europe, North
America, and Russia. These peatlands have formed under high precipitation and low
temperature regimes, and they are mostly composed of sphagnum mosses, sedges, and
shrubs12
 Humid tropics of Southeast Asia, mainland East Asia, the Caribbean, Central America, South
America, Africa, parts of Australasia, and a few Pacific Islands. These peatlands have formed
under high precipitation and high temperature regimes, and they are mostly composed of
graminoids and woody vegetation. Some tropical peatlands are also found in mangrove
forests23

Peatlands cover about 2.84% of the Earth’s land surface and store more carbon than any other
terrestrial ecosystem. Peatlands also provide various ecosystem services, such as water regulation,
flood control, climate regulation, and biodiversity conservation. However, peatlands are threatened
by human activities, such as drainage, agriculture, forestry, mining, and urbanization. Therefore,
peatland conservation and restoration are essential for mitigating climate change and preserving
biodiversity