
Peat - Wikipedia
While bark or coir -based peat-free potting soil mixes are on the rise, particularly in the UK, peat is still used as raw material for horticulture in some other European countries, Canada, as well as parts of …
Peat | Description, Formation, Importance, Carbon, & Uses | Britannica
Nov 12, 2025 · Peat, spongy material formed by the partial decomposition of organic matter, primarily plant material, in wetlands. The formation of peat is the first step in the formation of coal. Peat can be …
PEAT Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
The meaning of PEAT is a dark brown fibrous material that is formed primarily by the partial decomposition of organic matter and especially plants (such as sphagnum moss) in wet, oxygen …
What is peat? - International Peatland Society
Peat is the surface organic layer of a soil that consists of partially decomposed organic matter, derived mostly from plant material, which has accumulated under conditions of waterlogging, oxygen …
What exactly is peat – and why is it so important?
Jun 9, 2025 · Peat is dead and partially decomposed organic matter or vegetation. It forms at a very slow rate, taking thousands of years for a fully-formed layer to develop.
What Is Peat and Why Is It Ecologically Important?
Jul 30, 2025 · In temperate and sub-arctic regions, peat forms from Sphagnum mosses, sedges, and shrubs, while tropical peatlands can be derived from rainforest trees. Peatlands are characterized by …
What is peat and where is it found? - Global Peatlands
Peat is partially decayed plant material that accumulates under water-logged conditions over long time periods. Natural areas covered by peat are called peatlands.
The Lowdown on Peat: What It Is and Why It Matters
Apr 25, 2025 · During dry seasons, peat acts like a giant sponge, slowly releasing water to prevent wildfires. When monsoons hit, that same sponge absorbs floodwaters that would destroy villages.
What Is Peat Soil? - The Institute for Environmental Research and …
Jun 18, 2025 · Peat soil is characterized by its exceptionally high organic matter content, typically ranging from 75% to 99% by weight. This is significantly higher than most mineral soils, which …
Peat - New World Encyclopedia
Peat forms in wetlands or peatlands, variously characterized as bogs, moors, muskegs, pocosins, mires, and peat swamp forests. It is typically formed in temperate, humid environments where the …