The Plodcast 311. Explore the mysteries of the peat bog with Alys Fowler
Aug 12, 2025
Alys Fowler, a passionate writer, gardener, and naturalist, takes us on an enchanting journey through North Wales' peat bogs. She shares the ecological significance of these unique wetlands and the diverse life they support, including carnivorous plants and sphagnum moss. The discussion also addresses the environmental impact of peat extraction and the need for sustainable gardening practices. Alys emphasizes the beauty of embracing wild nature while advocating for the preservation of these delicate habitats. Tune in for a delightful exploration of a misunderstood landscape!
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Sundews Capture Nitrogen
- Carnivorous sundews use sticky, enzyme-rich leaves to trap insects and extract nitrogen in low-nutrient bogs.
- Alys explains they also reduce stickiness when flowering so they don't trap their pollinators.
Sphagnum Builds And Acidifies Bogs
- Sphagnum moss holds water in balloon cells and swaps ions to make bogs acidic and slow decomposition.
- That chemistry creates anaerobic conditions allowing peat to accumulate and lock away carbon for millennia.
Drain Peat, Release Carbon Fast
- Wet peat stores vast carbon reserves but when drained its semi-rotted matter oxidises and releases CO2.
- Alys warns that extraction and drying quickly undo thousands of years of carbon accumulation.
