Bogs: Fact and Fiction
International Bog Day, held on the fourth Sunday of July, shines a spotlight on one of nature’s most under-appreciated landscapes. First conceived in Scotland in the early 1990s, the day is now coordinated by the IUCN UK Peatland Programme, with support from groups like Plantlife and the Scottish Wildlife Trust.
Bogs, or peatlands, are more than soggy wildernesses. They’re vital for our climate, our water, our wildlife… and our imagination.
Bogs are Nature’s Carbon Vaults
Though they cover just 3% of the Earth’s surface, bogs store 30% of all soil carbon—more than all the world’s trees and plants combined. In the UK, 70% of our drinking water begins its journey in peatlands. These landscapes act as natural water filters and flood defences, soaking up heavy rainfall and releasing it slowly.
However, 80% of UK peatlands are degraded due to drainage, farming, and peat extraction. This turns them from carbon sinks into carbon emitters, threatening water quality and biodiversity.
Restoring the UK’s Peatlands
The UK is home to 13% of the world’s blanket bogs. While 41% are within protected areas, many are in poor condition. Efforts like the Great North Bog initiative are restoring nearly 7,000 km² across northern England, aiming to reduce carbon emissions by 3.7 million tonnes each year. Their mission is to restore all northern England’s remaining degraded upland peatlands by 2040
New laws aim to stop burning on deep peat, expanding legal protection across more than 368,000 hectares in England.
Hidden Worlds and Living Archives
Bogs support unique life—from insect-eating sundews and orchid blooms to raft spiders, emperor moths, and amphibians. Some species, like the bog copper butterfly and hairy canary fly, live nowhere else.
These wetlands are also time capsules. Their acidic, oxygen-poor layers preserve pollen, wooden tools, and even human remains, offering a glimpse into ancient times.
Meet the Foul Smelling Bog Hopper
In ‘The King of Nowhere’, part of our Rockford’s Rock Opera series, the Foul Smelling Bog Hopper lives on Infinity, a strange and timeless island. With its foul stench and fondness for solitude, this curious creature makes its home in the mists and mud at the world’s edge.
Like many real-world bog dwellers, the Foul Smelling Bog Hopper is specially adapted to its acidic, waterlogged habitat. Its story blends humour and mystery, reminding us that even in the gloomiest corners of nature, strange and wonderful life can be found.
Infinity’s bogs, much like our own, are places where the past clings to the present—where forgotten things still whisper in the reeds.
Why Bogs Matter
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Climate heroes: peatlands sequester massive carbon reserves.
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Water guardians: they filter and slow movement, reducing flood risk and improving water quality.
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Biodiversity hotspots: they host rare plants, insects, and animals adapted to extreme conditions.
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Living archives: preserving human history and natural records for millennia.
How You Can Help
- Support groups like the IUCN UK Peatland Programme and Plantlife.
- Choose peat-free compost and gardening products.
- Get involved with local conservation groups and supporting initiatives that restore and protect peatlands.
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