SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF PEATLAND MANAGEMENT - FUNCTIONS, USES VALUES

摘要

Most of the pressures on peat soils which are responsible for their declining state are associated with human interventions, most notably land drainage for agriculture. The deteriorating stock of peat soils and degradation of related ecosystem service flows have impacts not only for immediate users but also society as a whole. It is important therefore that strategies to address these issues fully integrate socio-economic factors as they influence the pressures, help interpret the impacts, and justify suitable interventions to deliver sustainable management of peat soils. In this context, this paper, using case studies which capture different land use scenarios for peat soils in England, outlines an approach which is being developed to identify and integrate the functions, uses and values of peat soils. Particular attention is paid to the role of stakeholders as they define and interpret the value of services provided by peat soils, and as they influence land and water management practices. Attention is also drawn to the importance of property rights and related stakeholder entitlements with respect to key peatland functions. The paper draws on work carried out under the EU funded Europeat Project.