IB Biology – PEAT Final Exam Review |100% Correct|

IB Biology – PEAT Final Exam Review |100% Correct| Alternative to peat-based compost *Ans*Coir Categories of Peat *Ans*Fibric, Hemic, Saphric How long can carbon stay in the ground after being absorbed by a peat bog? *Ans*Thousands of years How much carbon dioxide do damaged peat bogs release into the atmosphere annually? *Ans*2 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide Paris Agreement *Ans*establishment of protocols dealing with greenhouse gas emissions by the United Nations Peat *Ans*partially decayed plant matter found in bogs Peat has the ability to... *Ans*Preserve materials What two things is peat used for? *Ans*Fuel and compost Why do gardeners use peat-based products? *Ans*They use peat because it contains nutrients that plants need to grow Why is mining peat bad? *Ans*It destroys a natural process for eliminating carbon from the atmosphere A number of organisations are working to preserve these important ecosystems (peat bogs) give examples. What is the hope they do? *Ans*A number of organisations are working to preserve these important ecosystems, including The Wildlife Trust, Natural England and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). It is hoped, through the conservation work of these and other organisations, an appropriate balance can be met between our need to exploit the land, and the maintenance of a sustainable biodiverse ecosystem. Benefits and negatives of burning peat *Ans*Undisruptive peatland is a 'carbon sink' meaning that it is a sort of carbon dioxide. However, once dried, peat can be used as a fuel. As well as releasing thermal energy, burning peat releases carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. It takes many thousands of years for peat bogs to form - the preservation of existing peat bogs is therefore important component of preventing further climate change. How do bogs support a wide range of insects and allow them to thrive? *Ans*Bogs also support a wide range of insects such as butterflies, moths, dragonflies, and damselflies. The lack of predators and human disturbance makes some peatlands ideal for birds to nest and bring up their chicks. The abundance of insects, spiders, and frogs, plus nutritious vegetation and berries, provides food for many species. The large areas of open ground provide ideal hunting grounds for birds of prey. How does peat form? *Ans*Peat forms when plant material is inhibited from fully decaying by acidic and anaerobic conditions. This normally occurs in wet or boggy areas, and therefore peat is mainly composed of wetland vegetation including mosses, sedges, and shrubs. Loss of ecosystem (peat bogs)... *Ans*Lowland raised bogs are one example of a peatlands ecosystem. They are a rare and threatened habitat. In the United Kingdom, the area relatively undisturbed lowland raised bogs is estimated to have a diminished by over 90%, from around 19 50 km² to only 60 in the last 100 years. It is essential that the remaining areas are conserved to maintain biodiversity - their maintenance will also contribute to flood management, erosion control downstream, and carbon storage. Historically, the greatest decline has occurred through afforestation (the establishment of a forest or stand of trees in the area where there is no forest),peat extraction, and agricultural intensification, including land drainage. These activities have all contributed to the drying out of the bogs. The key to conserving lowland bogs is to maintain or restore appropriate water levels. Steps which are taken to conserve lowland bogs include: *Ans*-Ensuring that the peat and vegetation of the box surface is undisturbed and is wet as possible. Most bugs are surrounded by ditches to allow water to run off, preventing flooding or nearby land. In restoring a bug, ditch blocking may be required for a period of time to raise the water table to the bog surface. -Removal of seedling trees from the area. Trees have a high water requirement due to transpiration. Therefore, any tree seedling that has the potential to remove water from an area of peatland, or to reduce its ability to support bog vegetation, should be removed to maintain water levels in the area.