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Uniquely formed


Peatlands form when waterlogged and slightly acidic conditions prevent dead plants from decomposing (or only very slowly), and consequently over time they build up and become compressed into what we know as peat. Over thousands of years a variety of different peatland habitats are created, including lowland raised bogs, such as Foulshaw Moss, and blanket bogs, which we find on a lot of our felltops. Te key plant of peatlands is Sphagnum moss, of which there are numerous species that look very similar, so they are usually grouped together as 'sphagnum' for easy description. Despite their small size, these plants have a big impact: their cell structure means they can retain huge amounts of water, helping to keep the bogs wet; they are very resistant to decay, therefore increasing the amounts of peat formed; and they make their surroundings more acidic, so only a select few other plants can grow there, making themselves more dominant. Because the plant material in


peatlands doesn’t decay, the carbon that the plants absorbed during their lifetime is locked into the peat, causing peatlands to become a huge carbon store. Healthy peatlands sequester carbon and could help to combat climate change. Due to their ability to hold large amounts of water, which they release slowly over time, they are also able to alleviate flooding and improve the quality of water entering rivers, lakes and reservoirs. As a result of the challenging and sometimes inhospitable conditions


they create, peatlands are also home to some unique and interesting plants and animals. Alongside sphagnum mosses, cotongrass is one of the most distinctive peatland plants. Tere are two main species of cotongrass found on our bogs and their beautiful white, fluffy seed heads bobbing in the wind is an iconic sight. Another well-known family of plants found on bogs are the sundews. Tese tiny plants have adapted to the nutrient-poor conditions in the most remarkable way. Sundews have tiny, hair-like tendrils on their leaves, which are tipped with glistening droplets to atract passing insects. When the tendrils detect any presence of prey, the leaves then curl inwards, trapping the prey and releasing enzymes that dissolve the insect and allow the sundew to digest the nutrients. Unfortunately, it was estimated in 2010 that 95% of Cumbria’s peatlands were in poor condition due to a number of historic and ongoing factors, including peat cuting for fuel, drainage, burning, overgrazing and forestry. Tis has leſt many of our peatlands heavily degraded, and the peat soils within them drying out and being washed and blown away. Not only does this mean that these peatlands are no longer capturing carbon and holding back water, it means they are now releasing this carbon and allowing water to run off at speed, contributing to both climate change and increased flood risk. Some of the unique species that rely upon the wet, acidic, nutrient-poor conditions struggle to survive and are outcompeted by other more vigorous plants.


Cumbrian Wildlife | November 2025 25


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