Peatland conservation in Buchan, north-east Scotland: The historic contextand contemporary issues

Scottish peatlands are now recognised as important habitats for conservatio n, and are increasingly protected by both national and international design ations. This paper examines peatland conservation in north-east Scotland, u sing recently published data to assess habitat quality, and relating this t o longer-term historical trends in attitudes towards peatlands, and their u tilisation. The historical data indicates that peatland losses in northeast Scotland have been extensive, and occurred rapidly during the 18th and 19t h centuries, when peatlands were regarded as fuel sources, or wastelands wh ich could be converted to agricultural use. Threats have lessened in the se cond half of the 20th century, and many sites are now protected by conserva tion designations. However, historical attitudes towards peatlands often pe rsist, and this can pose problems which must be addressed if conservation m anagement is to be successful.