Social and economic aspects of peatland management in Northern Europe, with particular reference to the English case

Most of the pressures on peat soils that are responsible for their declining state are associated with human interventions, most notably land drainage for agriculture. Deteriorating stocks of peat soils and degradation of related ecosystem service flows have impacts not only on immediate users but also on 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, using a combination of stakeholder analysis and the functions, uses and values framework, stakeholder preferences for peatland functions were explored, along with the current drivers and associated responses in peatland areas. It was found that non-use values such as nature conservation are more prevalent now than in the past, and that agricultural economics has reflected this. It was also found that a high value placed is on the agricultural use of peatlands, and its associated benefits. Indeed, in the context of very recent strengthening of food prices in response to global deficits, there is renewed interest in sustaining the productive capacity of peatlands for some types of intensive farming. Although reconciling differing stakeholder interests is not easy, there is opportunity to develop a policy framework to encourage wise peatland management systems across Northern Europe. This requires that peatland ecosystems are explicitly incorporated into peatland management decisions.