Why our wetlands are important
Ryggmyra bog is a natural treasure in Randaberg municipality.
Photo: Erik Thoring
Flood retention and water cleansing
Many wetlands, and peat bogs in particular, can store large volumes of water. This is due in part to sphagnum moss, common in many bogs, that can store up to twenty times its own weight in water! The moss enables bogs to absorb water like a sponge, and thus help to prevent floods. Wetlands also act as water filters, trapping excess nutrients from sources such as agricultural run-off.
Sphagnum moss enables bogs to store large volumes of water.
Photo: Birgit Brosø
Carbon storage
Peat bogs can store large volumes of carbon. Norwegian peat bogs currently store at least 950 million tonnes of carbon, which is equivalent to Norway’s annual greenhouse gas emissions for the last 66 years. The conservation of peat bogs in their original state is important if we are to prevent harmful emissions to the atmosphere.
The conservation of peat bogs in their original state is key to preventing increases in carbon dioxide emissions.
Photo: Erik Thoring
Experiences in nature
Wetlands offer us fantastic experiences in the natural world! The silence of a marshland, the waves breaking gently on the shore, watching wildlife in a sheltered bay. All of these help us to relax and forget our day-to-day worries. The health benefits of experiencing nature are so great that Scottish doctors have started prescribing them as a cure for complaints such as anxiety and high blood pressure. So the next time you need to collect your thoughts, get out to your local wetland!
Hornborgasjön Lake is popular among tourists in Sweden. More than 20,000 cranes gather here every year to perform their courtship dance, creating an impressive show for visitors.
Photo: Roy Mangersnes