Erosion of upland blanket peat is recognized as a major environmental problem, degrading habitats, leading to loss of amenity, and water-colouration problems and increased sedimentation in reservoirs. Despite the scale of the problem relatively little process based work has been done on the geomorphology of eroding blanket peat. This new study will present the most detailed work to date on the nature of the processes controlling peat erosion and on the nature of the sediment budget of eroding peatlands. Although the focus in the book falls on upland Britain (which has 8 per cent of the world's total resource of blanket peat), the authors fully recognize the international dimension of the problem and make wide-ranging comparisons.
Series Editors' Preface
Acknowledgements
1. Introduction
2. The Hydrology of Upland Peatlands
3. Sediment Production
4. Fluvial Processes and Peat Erosion
5. Slope Processes and Mass Movements
6. Wind Erosion Processes
7. Peat Erosion Forms - from Landscape to Micro-relief
8. Sediment Dynamics, Vegetation, and Landscape Change
9. Implications and Conclusions
Index
Martin Evans is a reader in geomorphology at the University of Manchester. Jeff Warburton is currently a reader in geomorphology in the Department of Geography at Durham University.
"This book is a timely, comprehensive and authoritative overview of recent research on peatland erosion and geomorphological change. It addresses a vacant niche in the wetland literature and takes forward the peatland research agenda in new and interesting directions."
– Dan Charman, University of Plymouth
"Peat is one of our most precious natural resources. This important textbook takes us through the many challenges of researching, understanding and restoring peatlands. Timely, instructive and comprehensive, this book has the distinction of being essential to academics as well as practical conservationists concerned with peat."
– Des Thompson, Scottish Natural Heritage and Joint Nature Conservation Committee