Synthesis: The case of peat

Soil diary/forum: Exploring human connections to peatlands

Option 1:

Imagine that a peatland near your hometown or region is being discussed for future use and protection. Choose one of these stakeholder roles or think of your own choice: farmer, archaeologist, climate scientist, local resident, owner of a peat extraction company, conservationist. Take a minute to reflect and answer the following questions:

• Which peat soil services matter most to you?
• What benefits do peatlands provide from your perspective?
• Which conflicts with other stakeholders mentioned above may arise?

Record your reflection in your Soil diary or share and discuss your insights with other learners in the forum.

Option 2:

Read the following article "The secrets of the bog". Imagine a bog body has been discovered near where you live (simply ignore the fact that you might not be living near a bog).

• Come up with an appropriate nickname for the recently found bog body, such as 'Raspberry Girl' or 'Vittrup Man'.
• Write a paragraph stating where the body was found; what age the body had; what the last meal might have been; and interestingly, how the person died.
• Add any intriguing facts you like.

Let your imagination fly, and feel free to post your bog body story on the Forum (please indicate this is not a true story by adding "fiction" on the top).

Further popular reading on bog bodies: Vittrup Man.