Research and analysis

Peatland degradation: challenges for the water environment

Impacts on water bodies resulting from peatland degradation and solutions to achieve healthier peatland catchments.

• From: Environment Agency
• Published: 20 November 2025

Applies to England

Documents

Peatland degradation: challenges for the water environment

ODT, 405 KB

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Details

This report outlines the impacts on water bodies resulting from peatland degradation and solutions to achieve healthier peatland catchments. This can be used to help inform approaches to river basin management plans (RBMPs), delivering measures and informing restoration bids within peatland dominated catchments. The primary focus of this report is water quality; however, peatland restoration offers nature-based solutions for people, nature recovery and the water environment which should not be overlooked when designing measures for functional river basins.

Published 20 November 2025