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peatland

peatland

1 5.8
An area of wet land with a thick layer of old plant material that holds water
  • noun
  • /ˈpiːtˌlænd/
translation icon : tierra de turba
  • Even in peatland ecosystems, root channels can create discontinuities in the soil profile.
  • Tropical peatlands

Now peatlands and this type of wetland is not specific to Canada.

Examples

  • Each year, around 20 grams of carbon are absorbed by every square meter of peatland.

    Blog text (5)
  • Most peatlands are found in temperate areas north and south of the 45th parallel.

    Blog text (13)
  • But then, Andy, what happens if a peatland dries out?

  • These peatlands store as much carbon as all the world's other forests combined.

  • Its regional topography and resources are varied, as is its agriculture-based economy; and there is a large peatland area to the west.

    Academic text (1999)
  • And again, as with forests and with peatlands and wetlands, this is a natural way to store carbon.

  • "Our calculations show that the peatlands could contribute towards global cooling equivalent to five watts per square meter.

    Blog text (5)
  • Given the large areas of damaged but not totally destroyed peatlands in the region, there is also an urgent need for research into the possibilities for restoration.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Positive feedback loops among deforestation, drainage, and fire mean that peatlands are easily degraded once the balance is upset.

    Academic text (2011)
  • In the Amazon rainforest, peatlands are vital for maintaining biodiversity and storing carbon.

Synonyms

wetland
vspeatland
68 3.5

An area of land that is always or sometimes wet and has water plants and animals

is specifically the wet type with a thick organic layer and extraction value
bog
vspeatland
33 4.9

A wet, soft area of ground with dead plants

is a deeper-layer wet area used for nature protection and fuel extraction
peat bog
vspeatland
1 6.3

A wet, spongy area of land made of dead plants used as fuel

is a waterlogged area important for nature and for fuel extraction
bogland
vspeatland
  • UK
6.1

Wet, spongy land with moss and peat where plants and animals live

is a thicker-layer area valued for nature and commercial extraction

How Peaty

peatland
1 5.8
bog
33 4.9
fen
2 8.5

Surface Forms

peatland singular
peatlands plural

Morphology

peatland = peat + land (transparent) = peat + land

The meaning is a straightforward compound: an area of land characterized by peat; learners can derive this from the components.

Etymology

The word peatland breaks into peat and land, where peat is 'partly rotted plants' that build up in wet places and land means 'ground'. So a peatland is an area of ground with a thick layer of peat, soft and often wet like a bog.