The hunt is on for life saving moss

Sphagnum moss

A special moss which helped save lives during both World Wars is now being mapped for the first time – and the public is being urged to help.

Those stepping out onto the moorlands of the Peak District and South Pennines can now take part in a unique project to make a map of where Sphagnum moss is found.

‘The Big Moss Map’ will help scientists and conservationists in their efforts to save the region’s blanket bog habitat.

Sphagnum - whose antiseptic properties dramatically increased the survival rate of injured soldiers when they used it as a wound dressing during the First World War – is now seen as a vital weapon in the war against climate change.

Peatlands - predominantly made up of Sphagnum moss - store vast amounts of carbon. Globally they store more carbon below ground than plants do above ground. Healthy peatlands continue capturing and locking in carbon from the atmosphere whilst their surfaces are protected by a blanket of plants including essential Sphagnum mosses.

Since the industrial revolution much of the region’s Sphagnum – a plant very sensitive to atmospheric pollution – has died out. The Moors for the Future Partnership is working to conserve healthy peatlands and reintroduce Sphagnum moss.

‘The Big Moss Map’ will provide a picture of where Sphagnum is at the moment and in the future will show where it is increasing or decreasing, as volunteers continue adding to the map.

The scheme is being co-ordinated by the partnership’s Community Science project, and is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Sarah Proctor, Project Manager said: “When we are talking about blanket bog and the surrounding moorlands we are really thinking about areas with and without Sphagnum moss. Creating ‘The Big Moss Map’ gives us all an opportunity to get out and about and build a picture of how the moors of the Peak District and South Pennines are changing, whilst spreading the word about Sphagnum”.

Free training is available for those who would like to know more about the project or practice their Sphagnum-spotting skills. Volunteers can submit their sightings of the moss online or by post. A free smartphone app called ‘MoorMOSS’ is also available to help people identify the mosses they encounter.

BBC Springwatch presenter Brett Westwood said: “This is an exciting project. I’m very impressed with the scale of the work achieved and the vision for the moors. We need more visionary projects of this magnitude.”

Healthy peat bogs are important wildlife habitats, a vital store of carbon, help provide high quality drinking water, slow down surface run-off and help to reduce flooding.

To find out more about the project and how you can get involved go to:

www.moorsforthefuture.org.uk/community-science/bigmossmap