Land Use
Biology: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 7.3.4
Land Use
The growth of the human race has meant that there is less space and fewer resources for other organisms on Earth. Building, dumping waste, farming and quarrying all take up space and deplete resources:
Peat
- Peat is a deposit of partially decayed plant matter, which accumulates in bogs.
- Here, carbon remains in the plants instead of being released into the atmosphere.
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Peat bog destruction
- The destruction of peat bogs has become more common, resulting in the burning or decay of peat.
- This releases the stored carbon into the atmosphere in the form of the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide.
- Another negative impact of peat bog destruction is the loss of biodiversity within the habitat.
Reasons for peat bog destruction
- Peat bogs are being destroyed for the following reasons:
- To free up land for farming, which requires the bogs to be drained. This draining process stimulates peat decay.
- To burn the peat for fuel.
- To sell the peat to gardeners as garden compost.
Reducing peat demand
- Peat demand can be reduced by gardeners using peat-free compost, such as manure or bark chippings.
Test yourself on Land Use
What are the negative impacts of peat bog destruction?
What has happened to the destruction of peat bogs in recent years?
Why does draining peatland to create farmland cause more carbon to be released into the atmosphere?
What materials can gardeners use as peat-free compost?
What are the reasons that peat bogs are destroyed?