10 Wetland Futures Report 2013: The Value of Healthy Wetlands
as UK population growth, consumer diets and habits, and
waste. (Food security is distinct from the traditional view of
maximising self sufficiency in food supply).
Putting peatland restoration in a UK perspective, there
are currently about 12.1 million ha of crop and grassland
in the UK with a value-added of about £18bn, about 1%
GDP. The table below shows the percentage of land take
and the share of the value of total agricultural production
and of high value (non-cereal) crops that would be ‘lost’
at the UK scale if specified areas of peatlands were taken
out of farming. It is likely that some high value cropping
would relocate elsewhere in the UK if displaced from
deep peatlands.
The impact on agricultural production of per ha of land
taken for peatland restoration is greatest in the Anglian
Fens where outputs and value is proportionately greater
per ha.
Conclusions
•
Taking land out of agricultural production on
remaining deep peatland areas could result in
overall long term economic benefit because
(i) the benefits of continuing agricultural production
decline over time as peats degrade, (ii) losses of
soil carbon result in high economic costs, (iii) high
value cropping would probably relocate elsewhere
(thereby offsetting agricultural losses), (iv) restored
peatlands can provide other ecosystem benefits,
especially in peri-urban areas.
Restoration
areas (Ha)
% of UK crop and
grassland area
% of value of UK
agricultural output
% of UK high value crops
(roots, vegetables, salads)
Wetland Vision (WV)
240,000
2.0
3
5-8
WV Target areas (4)
66,500
0.5
1
3
Anglian Fens*
20,400
0.4
0.6
1.5
*existing deep peat assumed taken out of production. Not to be
confused with 133,000ha of existing degraded peats, or 500,000
ha all Fenland soils (based on Morris et al, 2010).
•
It is unlikely that national food security would be
seriously affected by the scale of land taken from
agriculture for the restoration of remaining deep
peatlands.
•
Restoration could help to protect strategic agricultural
assets from current high rates of degradation, making
them available for future use if needs arise.
•
Restoration options require collaborative actions
amongst many stakeholders, not least farmers and
land owners that are dependent up on them for
incomes and livelihoods.
References:
Morris J., Graves, A., Angus, A., Hess, T., Lawson,
C., Camino, M., Truckell, I. and Holman, I. (2010).
Restoration of Lowland Peatland in England and Impacts
on Food Production and Security. Report to Natural
England. Cranfield University, Bedford.
Graves, A. and Morris, J. (2013) Restoration of Fenland
Peatland under Climate Change, Report to Adaptation
Sub-Committee on Climate Change, Cranfield University,
Bedford. Available on
/
Natural England (2010)
The Wetland Vision
is a
partnership project aiming to secure a 50-year vision
for England’s freshwater wetlands by showing where
wetlands might be conserved, restored or created.
