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Nature and Environment

Our beautiful planet

February 17, 2017

A bog may not sound like a thing of beauty. But peat marshes like Fochteloërveen in the Netherlands are not only home to unique flora – they also protect our climate by locking in carbon dioxide.

https://p.dw.com/p/2XlfD
Bildergalerie Moore
Image: Colourbox/O. Rohulya

A bog may not sound like a thing of beauty. But peat marshes like this one, Fochteloërveen in the Netherlands, can be magical expanses of water and vegetation, including flora found nowhere else – such as specially adapted orchids and carnivorous plants, and provide a haven for nesting birds. But they also serve another purpose, vital for all life on earth – sequestering carbon. Peat is made up of partially decayed vegetation that locks in carbon dioxide, reducing atmospheric levels.

Do you have an image from your natural local surroundings you want to share with readers? If so, you can send it to us using the upload tool on our page, or by emailing us at ecoafrica@dw.com.