Moorland is globally scarce
- Scotland is the European stronghold for upland heath (31% of our land area).
- Blanket bog is one of Scotland’s most common semi-natural habitats, covering some 1.8 million ha (23% of our land area).
- Scotland holds a significant amount of the European and world resource of peatland, which is an important contributor to mitigating climate change.
- Moorland habitats support a diversity of otherwise scarce and increasingly rare species.
- Much moorland is maintained in its current state by careful management.
Moorland is an important resource
- Has cultural and historic significance
- Is vital to Scotland’s tourism industry
- Has high biodiversity value and is a haven for a range of rare species
- Is important for carbon capture and storage
- Plays an essential role in water management
- Provides for varied forms of recreation, which benefits physical and mental wellbeing
- Provides the fundamental resource for many rural livelihoods
Management is an important feature of moorland
Management is an important feature of moorland and much moorland requires some management to maintain it in its current condition, such as:
- Management of bracken and other invasive species,
- Prescribed burning and/or cutting,
- Maintenance and restoration of blanket bog,
- Management of grazing animals, and
- Predator control.