Peat, spongy material formed by the partial decomposition of organic matter, primarily plant material, in wetlands. The formation of peat is the first step in the formation of coal. Peat can be used as a fuel and is only a minor contributor to the world
Peat moss, genus of more than 300 species of moss (division Bryophyta). Peat mosses form dense clumps around ponds, in swamps and bogs, on moist acidic cliffs, and on lakeshores from tropical to subpolar regions. The plants are key components in the form
Plantmaterialsburied•Peatundersedimentsdecaytoformpeat,acompressedmassofplantremains.Compactionforceswater•Ligniteoutofthesedimentstoformlignite,asoft,browncoal.•SubbituminousAstagebetweenligniteandbituminousFurthercompressionandagingturnlignite•Bituminousintobituminouscoal,asoft,blackcoal.Heatandpressure...
Formation of stolons: Some mosses develop stoloniferous branches from the base of the stem. The stolons may be naked or bear small scaly leaves and creep on beneath the soil. Eventually tip of each stolon gives rise to new individuals. Separation of a specially modified branch of bud-like fo...
•Mostofourcoalwasformedabout300millionyearsagoduringtheCarboniferousPeriod,whenmuchoftheEarthwascoveredbysteamyswamps.Asplantsandtreesdied,theirremainssanktothebottomoftheswampyareas,accumulatinglayeruponlayerandeventuallyformingasoggy,densematerialcalledpeat.HistoryofCoalUse •Humanuseofcoaldatesback35,000years...
The Doñana region, in south-western Spain, extends from the estuary of the Tinto river to that of the Guadalquivir river, and inland from the Atlantic coast to the Guadiamar river valley. It shelters one the most important wetland areas in Europe and gathers an impressive record of biodivers...
The species thrives in a variety of environments ranging from peat bogs to dry, sandy or rocky soil. It does best on sites that are rich in nutrients and well drained, in moist valleys and on gentle northern slopes. Did you know? Western white pine is a very productive and desirable spec...