Climate change is posing a threat to the future of Irish bogs, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has found.

Its report, titled Status of EU-Protected Habitats and Species in Ireland, includes temperature rise, drought, sea level rise and increased precipitation as potential impacts of climate change.

Peat extraction, drainage, afforestation and burning are identified as the main pressures on raised bogs

Raised bogs are mostly located in the midlands and parts of the west, while blanket bogs are located along the western seaboard and in parts of Munster and Leinster.

Peat extraction, drainage, afforestation and burning are identified as the main pressures on raised bogs, which are deteriorating.

Overgrazing, burning and “agricultural activities causing nitrogen deposition”, are the main pressures on blanket bogs.

The report states that erosion, drainage and wind farms are other areas of concern for their future.