WHAT ARE PEATLANDS?

So what kind of historical development created the distribution of different land-use?

Figure 4: Tree Falling on The Peatland

HISTORICAL LINES

After WWI a huge reduction in woodland was noticed. UK was only covered by 5% woodlands. Therefore In 1919, the forest commission was formed. It created strategies to increase the woodland areas through mass plantation project on lands of low agricultural value, that lasted until the early 2000’s. Trees where mainly coniferous and used for timber production. Due to the lack of native species in the UK, non-native ones were introduced to support these reforestation attempts. They introduced imported conifers such as the North American Sitka and lodgepole pine. Softwood production dominated in the Scotland and Hardwood in England. By that time, UK issued certification for timber production called the PEFC, in line with the FSC and tracked down illegal logging.

In the 1970’s forest policies and management plans were issued. In addition to the Carbon budget plans that have impacted the forestation rates and the deadlines set to reach 13% of woodland coverage by Timber production quantities are highly increasing and expected to continue increasing in the upcoming years.

In the 1920’s, peatlands became part of the reforestation projects, as lands of low value, or waste lands. This was noticed with respect to the formation of The Forest Committee. It lasted up until Peat action plans have been issued and then peatland strategies. Between 1940-1980: large amounts of coniferous trees were planted on the peatland and, a few of them have succeeded and reached harvesting age by now.

Between 1950-1988, generous tax incentive system for peatland forestation took place, all under the pretext of encouraging employment, reducing timber imports and making wasteland productive. And in 1980 1/10 of peatlands became forests.

In the year 1988, the tax incentive system was removed, and during the early 2000’s the importance of peat has been realised. Peatland strategies, policies and action plans were issued.

Diagram 12: Anatomical Map Historical Part Drawn by S. Halaoui