Peatlands around the world have long been recognized as the source of valuable resources supporting commercial needs ranging from energy generation to agricultural applications. Simultaneously, peatlands perform vital eco-services, supporting a wide range of biodiversity, sequestering a large percentage of the earth’s terrestrial carbon, and serving as a natural source of fresh drinking water. It is not surprising, therefore, that the use of peatland resources has come under scrutiny. What is clear is that not all peatland management systems have been created equal. As manager of SCS’ Responsibly Managed Peatlands certification program for horticultural peat moss, I have taken a deep dive to understand what responsible management means. Here I'll share what I have learned.
