How many cubic meters of peat are in the world?
By volume, there are about 4 trillion cubic metres of peat in the world. Over time, the formation of peat is often the first step in the geological formation of fossil fuels such as coal, particularly low-grade coal such as lignite.
What is the importance of peat in geography?
This allows the reconstruction of past environments and the study of changes in land use. Peat is used by gardeners and for horticulture in certain parts of the world, but this is being banned in some places. By volume, there are about 4 trillion cubic metres of peat in the world.
How has the degradation of peatland affected the land?
Drainage, causing compaction and oxidation and excavation have reduced peatlands (>40 cm peat) to about 2,733 km 2 (1,055 sq mi) or 10\% of the land area, mostly used as meadows. Drainage and excavation have lowered the surface of the peatlands. In the west of the country dikes and mills were built,…
How much of the Netherlands is covered with peat?
Peat covered area (brown) 2,500 years ago in the Netherlands 2,500 years ago, the area now named the Netherlands was largely covered with peat. Drainage, causing compaction and oxidation and excavation have reduced peatlands (>40 cm (16 in) peat) to about 2,733 km 2 (1,055 sq mi) or 10\% of the land area, mostly used as meadows.
What are the characteristics of a peatland?
Peatland features can include ponds, ridges, and raised bogs. The characteristics of some bog plants actively promote bog formation. For example, sphagnum mosses actively secrete tannins, which preserve organic material.
Which type of peat is partially decomposed and why?
Hemic peats are partially decomposed and sapric are the most decomposed. Phragmites peat are composed of reed grass, Phragmites australis, and other grasses. It is denser than many other types of peat. Engineers may describe a soil as peat which has a relatively high percentage of organic material.