Disturbances to Peatlands

Active Raised Bog Overall Satus: Bad
Courtesy NPWS Photograph by Fernando Fernandez©

Degraded Raised Bog
Courtesy NPWS Photograph by Fernando Fernandez ©

Wetlands are an important source for the release of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere, mainly due to the drainage of peatlands. Approximately 56,000 ha of peatlands were actively drained for peat extraction in 2017 (Climate Change Advisory Council, 2019). Emissions from wildfires across various land types, including peatlands, were noted as a significant source of emissions. For example, wildfires in 2017 saw 3,500 hectares of forest and bog land decimated in Galway.  These types of disturbances can cause extreme damage to peatlands as well as directly negatively affecting annual reportable removals under the flexibilities allowed by the EU Energy and Climate Framework to 2030 (Climate Change Advisory Council, 2019 ). These damaged lands cannot be included in further assessments of progress on national emission targets until the land has been adequately restored.    

According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature in the UK: “the most effective long-term sustainable solution for addressing wildfire risk on peatlands is to return sites to fully functioning bog habitat by removing those factors that can cause degradation, such as drainage, livestock, management and burning regimes” (IUCN, 2019).