Rain fed bogs that occur where water is contained form raised bogs - so called because the build up of peat causes the living surface of the bog to rise above the surrounding land. While smaller than the extensive blanket bogs in the uplands, raised bogs are an important habitat.
The build up of peat that causes the bog surface to rise is because the water prevents dead vegeation from rotting completely. Raised bogs are now very scarce in the UK, though the wet, cool climate of Wales (which helps peat form) means that Wales has some of the best bogs left. They have been drained for farmland, or had the peat dug out for use as fuel or for potting compost.
On Traeth Mawr near the National Park Visitor Centre, the bog has been altered by human activity but small patches remain forming hummocks of bog mosses in amongst a mixture of fen habitats. This mix of different habitats in a small location is quite unique and there are no other sites like Traeth Mawr in Wales.
Use the navigation bar on the left to explore other wetland habitats or go back to Biodiversity in the National Park.
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