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Peatlands cover 13,470 km² or 16.2% of the land surface. There are three main types of peatland in Ireand - fens, raised bogs and blanket bogs. Two main types of blanket bogs occur - those at elevations of less than 200 m called Atlantic blanket bogs, and those found in the mountains above 200 m called Mountain blanket bogs. 80% of these bogs and fens have been destroyed (for forestry, agriculture, peat extraction for energy production and horticultuure) and have lost their wildlife and conservation value.

	Hummock and pool system on Lough Lurgeen raised bog, Co. Galway. Copyright Peter Foss 1999.
	Hummock and pool system on Garriskil bog, Co. Westmeath. Copyright Peter Foss 1999.
	Fen vegetation around the soak system on Clara bog, Co. Offaly. The purple flowers of Ragged Robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi) and seed heads of Bog Cotton (Eriophorum angusti folium) are notable. Copyright Peter Foss 1999.
	The open water area of the soak on Clara bog, Co.Offaly, fringed by Juncus effusus vegetation. Copyright Peter Foss 1999.
	Swampy birch woodland with an understorey of Molinia caerulea at the edge of the soak on Clara bog, Co. Offaly. Copyright Peter Foss 1999.
	The pool dotted blanket bog landscape of the Owenduff National Park in Co. Mayo. Copyright Peter Foss 1999.
	Blanket bog pool complex at Shralahy, Co. Mayo. Copyright Peter Foss 1999.
	Schoenus nigricans dominated blanket bog vegetation at Glenamoy, Co. Mayo. The cliffs of the north west Mayo coast are visible in the distance. Copyright Peter Foss 1999.
	A Phragmites australis flush in blanket bog at Rathavisteen, Co. Mayo. Copyright Peter Foss 1999.
	A swallow hole in blanket bog at Sheskin Nature Reserve, Co. Mayo, showing the unusual occurance of Angelica sylvestris and Rubus fructicosus. Copyright Peter Foss 1999.
	A natural drainage channel in the blanket bog landscape at Shralahy, Co. Mayo. The increased drainage and nutrient availability allows the development of a herb rich vegetation. Copyright Peter Foss 1999.
	Mountain blanket bog pool system at Liffey Head, Co. Wicklow. Copyright Peter Foss 1999.
	The fen vegetation at Scragh Bog, Co. Westmeath, with Menyanthes trifoliata dominated vegetation in the foreground. Copyright Peter Foss 1999.
	Fen vegetation at Pollardstown, Co. Kildare. Copyright Peter Foss 1999.