Humans REDUCE the amount of land available for other plants and animals.
We use land for:
BUILDING — houses, factories, roads.
QUARRYING — digging out rock and minerals.
FARMING — growing crops and keeping animals.
DUMPING WASTE — landfill sites.
Every time land is used for these, HABITATS are destroyed and there is less space for wild species — so biodiversity falls.
What peat bogs are
PEAT BOGS are waterlogged areas where dead plants do not fully decay (there is not enough oxygen for decomposers).
Over thousands of years the partly-decayed plants build up as PEAT.
Because the plants never fully decayed, peat STORES a large amount of CARBON.
Peat bogs are an important HABITAT for many specialised plants, animals and microorganisms.
Why destroying peat bogs is a problem
Peat is dug up (extracted) to sell as COMPOST for gardens and for commercial food production, and it can be burned as a fuel.
Destroying peat bogs:
REDUCES the area of this habitat → the biodiversity of the species living there DECREASES.
Releases CARBON DIOXIDE — when peat is drained and decays, or is burned, the stored carbon is released as CO₂, adding to global warming.
Using peat-free compost helps protect peat bogs.
⚠️ Common Mistake
Destroying a peat bog harms the environment in TWO ways, not one: it reduces biodiversity (habitat lost) AND releases carbon dioxide (stored carbon escapes as the peat decays or is burned). Many students only mention one. Peat is extracted mainly for COMPOST, not just as a fuel.
📌 Key Note
Humans reduce land for other species by building, quarrying, farming and dumping waste. Peat bogs store carbon and are rich habitats. Extracting peat for compost/fuel destroys the habitat (lowering biodiversity) and releases CO₂ when peat decays or burns. Use peat-free compost.
🎯 Matching Activity — Land Use: Cause or Consequence?
Sort each statement into a human land use or a consequence of destroying peat bogs. — drag the symbols on the right to match the component names on the left.
Human land use
Drop here
Human land use
Drop here
Human land use
Drop here
Consequence of peat destruction
Drop here
Consequence of peat destruction
Drop here
Consequence of peat destruction
Drop here
Quarrying rock and minerals
Reduced biodiversity of bog species
Carbon dioxide released as peat decays or burns
Loss of a specialised habitat
Farming crops and livestock
Building houses, factories and roads
🎯 Test Yourself
Question 1 of 2
1. Why does draining and extracting peat release carbon dioxide?
2. Which single change would best protect peat bog biodiversity?
⭐ How Well Do You Understand This Topic?
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