Learning resources: Peatlands

Learning in, learning about and learning for the natural environment

Peatlands are amongst Wales’ rarest and most important habitats. On this page, you will find activity plans covering everything from ‘Why are peatlands important?’ to suggestions on how to assess peatland condition, depth, age and carbon content.

All the activities and games will enable your learners to progress in the ways described in the four purposes of the Curriculum for Wales. Curriculum links are included in the documents and all the activities will help you deliver many aspects of the cross curricular skills within the Literacy and Numeracy Framework (LNF) and Digital Competence Framework (DCF).

Supporting your planning and curriculum design - peatlands

Our ‘Supporting your planning and curriculum design – Peatlands’ document is available to help you identify learning needs, plan progression, and develop an effective learning plan.

• Supporting your planning and curriculum design – peatlands
  
  

An introduction to peatlands

Explore the different types, the challenges peatlands face, and the actions being taken to protect them.

• Information note – peatlands

Peatlands quiz

Boost learners’ awareness and understanding of peatlands with this fun, interactive activity.

• Activity plan – peatlands quiz
• Statements and answers – peatlands quiz
• Resource cards – peatlands quiz

Why are peatlands important?

This activity encourages learners to consider and discuss the many benefits that peatlands provide for both people and the environment.

• Activity plan – Why are peatlands important
• Resource cards – Why are peatlands important

How does peat form?

This activity shares ideas to encourage discussion about the factors that can affect peat formation and accumulation rates.

• Activity plan – How does peat form?
• Resource cards – How does peat form?

Peatlands and water quality: Nature’s natural filter

Learn how peat in the uplands and bogs help filter water naturally. Why not try our hands-on water filtering experiment with your learners.

• Activity plan – water filtering challenge
• Worksheet – water filtering challenge

Peatland food chains

Peatlands are teeming with wildlife. Can your learners order themselves into a peatland food chain?

• Activity 15 – animals and habitats booklet
• Resource cards – peatland food chains

Shrinking peatlands

This activity shares ideas for your learners to investigate how human activities impact the wildlife in these fragile habitats.

• Activity plan – shrinking peatlands
• Resource cards – photos of peatlands

Peatlands, carbon and climate change

Peatlands store vast amounts of carbon and act as a natural carbon sink, helping to tackle the effects of climate change. Any significant disturbances to peatland can mean it changes from an ecosystem that absorbs carbon to an ecosystem that emits not only recent carbon, but carbon absorbed over the last 12,000 years. Learn more by reading our information note.

• Information note – peatlands: How carbon sinks can turn into carbon emitters

How much peat would it take to offset your carbon footprint?

What are your learners’ individual carbon footprints? How much peat would be required to offset them? Our resources share suggestions to help your learners visualise how many metres cubed of carbon stored in peat would be required to offset their impact.

• Activity plan – how much peat is required to offset your carbon footprint
• Worksheet – how much peat is required to offset your carbon footprint

Assessing peatland condition, depth, age and carbon content

Get your learners involved in a simple, hands-on investigation to explore peatland condition, depth, age, and carbon content. Our resources provide easy-to-follow ideas and activities to guide the process.

• Activity plan – assessing peatland condition, depth, age and carbon content
• Worksheet – assessing peatland condition, depth, age and carbon content

Planning a visit to a peatland with your group?

Check out our map of places to visit with your learners.

Peatlands are often protected habitats and are potentially hazardous environments. To ensure you and your learners have a safe and enjoyable visit, contact us to apply to use our land we manage and get permission for your planned activities. We’ve got a short and simple form for you to complete and in our reply, we’ll tell you about any restrictions currently in place, help with maps and offer guidance.

The National Peatland Action Programme

The National Peatland Action Programme is working to coordinate peatland restoration action in Wales.

• Find out more about the National Peatland Action Programme