Peat Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
The meaning of PEAT is a dark brown fibrous material that is formed primarily by the partial decomposition of organic matter and especially plants (such as sphagnum moss) in wet, oxygen-deficient areas (such as bogs or swamps) and that is harvested especially for use as a fuel for heating or cooking or as a soil amendment —sometimes used ...
Peat - Wikipedia
Peat is an accumulation of partially decayed vegetation or organic matter. It is unique to natural areas called peatlands, bogs, mires, moors, or muskegs. [1][2] Sphagnum moss, also called peat moss, is one of the most common components in peat, although many other plants can contribute.
Peat | Description, Formation, Importance, Carbon, & Uses
Sep 19, 2024 · Peat, spongy material formed by the partial decomposition of organic matter, primarily plant material, in wetlands. The formation of peat is the first step in the formation of coal. Peat can be used as a fuel and is only a minor contributor to the world energy supply.
Peat is the Unsung Hero of Carbon Capture - The New York Times
Feb 21, 2022 · Before it was celebrated as the world’s best carbon sink, peat was a popular energy source. Peat burned hotter than wood and was far less dangerous to mine than coal — all you need is a sharp...
What is peat? - International Peatland Society
Peat is the surface organic layer of a soil that consists of partially decomposed organic matter, derived mostly from plant material, which has accumulated under conditions of waterlogging, oxygen deficiency, high acidity and nutrient deficiency.
What is peat and where is it found? | Global Peatlands Initiative
Peat is partially decayed plant material that accumulates under water-logged conditions over long time periods. Natural areas covered by peat are called peatlands. Terms commonly used for specific peatland types are peat swamp forests, fens, bogs or mires.
How peat could protect the planet - Nature
Feb 12, 2020 · How peat could protect the planet. Across the globe, drained peatlands are emitting billions of tonnes of carbon dioxide each year. Scotland has emerged as a leader in efforts to restore bogs to...
Protecting nature's best carbon sink: Peatlands - Scienceline
Jan 7, 2022 · Beneath the sphagnum moss mat and layers of dead moss is the peat: the organic soil which holds most of the bog’s carbon. Collecting all that carbon can take thousands of years, but as moss slowly grows and sinks into peat, a peatland becomes a massive carbon storage zone.
Peat formation - International Peatland Society
Peat formation is the result of incomplete decomposition of the remains of plants growing in waterlogged conditions. This may happen in standing water (lakes or margins of slow flowing rivers) or under consistently high rainfall (upland or mountain regions).
How is peat formed? - Encyclopedia Britannica
Peat is an excellent energy provider. For centuries people have used peat, which is similar to coal, as a fuel for heating. Once the bog has been drained, the peat dries out and can be cut and formed into briquettes. But the substance also has its drawbacks.