10,000 years ago, there was no peat here. Melting glaciers formed wide, clay-lined valleys, and then reeds colonised the land, creating massive swamps. As the reeds died and fell into the water, they did not fully decay, and over time layers of organic matter and carbon were preserved as peat.
Nearly 2000 years ago, work began to reclaim the land — most recently, by drainage boards and river authorities digging ditches and draining the land to live, work, and grow food.
But draining the land and creating this artificial landscape has caused peat loss, in some areas causing the ground to sink by over 1m in the last 100 years. Today this modified and engineered landscape has to be managed to reduce flood risk in wetter months and ensure water for farming.
By draining peatland, the anaerobic conditions that stored the carbon safely are disrupted. Oxygen allows microbial respiration to begin, leading to the decomposition of the peat.
We estimate some 300,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent are released each year in Somerset, 10% of the county’s total emissions.
Sadly, Somerset is also one of the last counties in England where peat mining still happens. Once mined, the peat is dried and blended into compost.
But what happens to the large, open peat mines? Typically, they have been lined with clay and filled with water. Some are managed as fishing lakes, others for nature. At Somerset Wildlife Trust, we have turned some of these sites into fantastic habitats for nesting wildfowl and a host of other vulnerable species.
While some locals depend upon peat mining, once dried out and dug up, the carbon that was locked up is emitted. We’re currently facing our biggest challenge ever: a climate and ecological emergency. We must keep our peat safe.
Last year, the Government announced that the sale of peat to the public would end in 2024. We are working with DEFRA to ensure this ban works and happens as soon as possible.
So, what can you do to protect our peat? You can:
- Buy peat-free compost
- Buy plants grown in peat-free compost
- Compost at home
- Spread the word and talk about these amazing, biodiverse ecosystems, their ability to combat climate change, and the threats they face.