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About one-third of the world's peatlands are in Canada. People once thought them to be
wastelands, but today, we know that peatlands are home to some unusual wildlife. Peatlands
are mostly made from layers of water-logged sphagnum moss that can accumulate over thousands
of years. This happens because low oxygen levels slow down decomposition. Certain highly
specialized plant species survive here, like the carnivorous pitcher plant and thread-leaved
sundew. These plants supplement their diet by trapping insects and spiders. Many mammals, birds and
amphibians also depend on peatlands. Even species at risk like the spotted turtle are
found here. Peatlands are important for people, too. They filter ground water and store carbon
that would otherwise remain in our atmosphere. We need to conserve these complex ecosystems
and that's just a start! To learn more about peatlands, visit hww.ca