Eighty percent of England’s peatlands are dry and degraded, mapping shows

Peatlands in East Anglia. The most complete map of England’s peatlands to date shows only 1% of peatlands are covered by important peat-forming plants. Photograph: Emily Beament/PA

New mapping of England’s peatlands has revealed that 80% of the habitats are dry and degraded.

Scientists mapped England’s peatlands and peaty soils for the first time using satellite imagery, artificial intelligence and in-depth data analysis to create the most complete map to date, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said.