They can be classified into two groups:[8]​.

In a widely cited article, Joosten and Clarke (2002) described peatlands as[9][10]​ the most widespread of all wetland types in the world, representing between 50 and 70% of global wetlands. They cover more than 4 million km or 3% of the planet's land and freshwater surface. One third of the world's soil carbon and 10% of global freshwater resources are found in these ecosystems. These ecosystems are characterized by the unique ability to accumulate and store dead organic matter from Sphagnum and many other non-moss species, in the form of peat, under conditions of almost permanent water saturation. Peatlands are adapted to extreme conditions of high water content and low oxygen content, toxic elements and low availability of nutrients for plants. The chemical composition of water varies from alkaline to acidic. Peatlands are present on all continents, from tropical to boreal and arctic areas, from sea level to alpine conditions.

A more recent estimate of an improved global peat bog map, PEATMAP,[11] based on a meta-analysis of geospatial information at global, regional and national scales, places global coverage slightly above previous peat bog inventories at 4.23 million square kilometers (1.63 million square miles), approximately 2.84% of the global land area.[12] In Europe, peat bogs extend over about 515,000 km.[13]​ About 60% of the world's wetlands are made up of peat.

Peat deposits are found in many places around the world, including northern Europe and North America. North American peat deposits are found primarily in Canada and the northern United States. Some of the largest peatlands in the world are the Western Siberian Lowlands, the Hudson Bay Lowlands, and the Mackenzie River Valley.[14] There is less peat in the Southern Hemisphere, partly because there is less land. That said, the largest tropical peat bog in the world is located in Africa (Democratic Republic of the Congo).[15]​ In addition, the vast Magellanic Páramo in South America (Southern Patagonia/Tierra del Fuego) is an extensive landscape dominated by peat.[14]​ Peat is found in New Zealand, Kerguelen, the Falkland Islands and Indonesia (Kalimantan -Sungai Putri, Danau Siawan, Sungai Tolak-, Rasau Jaya -West Kalimantan- and Sumatra). Indonesia has more tropical peatlands and mangroves than any other country in the world, but loses 100,000 hectares of wetlands a year.[16]​.

Around 7% of all peatlands have been exploited for agriculture and forestry.[17] Under certain conditions, peat will be converted to lignite coal over geological periods of time.

Gardening

In its fresh state it reaches up to 98% humidity, but once dried it can be used as fuel.

Peat is also used in gardening to improve soils due to its water retention capacity. The use of blonde peat is more common in soilless cultivation, because the black peat has poor aeration and high contents of soluble salts. Blonde peats have a good level of water retention and aeration, but they are very variable in terms of their composition since it depends on their origin. The instability of its structure and its high cation exchange capacity interfere with plant nutrition, as it has a pH that ranges between 3.5 and 8.5. It is used in ornamental and seedling production.

In the making of whiskey

Black peat is used in some areas of Scotland to dry the ingredients in whiskey, giving it a unique aroma. They are carbonaceous soils that have formed as a result of oxygen-free decomposition of dead plants. Natural peat is acidic and contains a lot of water. It has chemical compounds that are used for skin treatment. It ranges between 5 and 8 degrees Celsius in temperature.

Agriculture

In Sweden, farmers use dry peat to absorb excrement from livestock that spend the winter indoors. The most important property of peat moss is that it retains moisture in the potting soil when it is dry and prevents excess water from killing the roots when it is wet. Peat can store nutrients although it is not fertile itself - it is polyelectrolytic with a high ion exchange capacity due to its oxidized lignin. Since 2003, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, England, has discouraged peat as a soil amendment.[19] Although peat-free, bark-based potting soil mixes are increasing, particularly in the United Kingdom, peat remains an important horticultural raw material in other European countries, Canada, and parts of the United States.

freshwater aquariums

Peat is sometimes used in freshwater aquariums. It is more common in soft or black water river systems, such as those that imitate the Amazon River basin. In addition to being soft in texture and therefore suitable for demersal (bottom-dwelling) species such as the Corydoras catfish, peat is known to have other beneficial functions in freshwater aquariums. Softens water by acting as an ion exchanger; It also contains substances beneficial for plants and for the reproductive health of fish. Peat can prevent algae growth and kill microorganisms. Peat often stains water yellow or brown due to the leaching of tannins.[20]​.

Balneotherapy

Peat is widely used in balneotherapy (baths to treat diseases). Many traditional spa treatments include peat as part of the peloids. These health treatments have a long tradition in European countries such as Poland, the Czech Republic, Germany and Austria. Some of these old spas date back to the century and are still active today. The most common types of peat application in balneotherapy are peat muds, poultices and suspension baths.[21]​.

One of the best peatlands in Spain is located in the north of Galicia, in the Sierra del Gistral. In the Tablas de Daimiel national park (Castilla-La Mancha) in 2009 an "underground" fire was declared due to the self-combustion of the peat from the dry lands, previously flooded.[22]​.

On the other hand, in the extreme south of America, more specifically on the Big Island of Tierra del Fuego, Chile and Argentina, large areas of peat can be found. Geological and water studies from institutions in Tierra del Fuego affirm that 65% of the island's surface is covered by this vegetation and that, due to its oxygenation properties, this geographical location would be one of the owners of the cleanest air on the planet.

They can be classified into two groups:[8]​.

In a widely cited article, Joosten and Clarke (2002) described peatlands as[9][10]​ the most widespread of all wetland types in the world, representing between 50 and 70% of global wetlands. They cover more than 4 million km or 3% of the planet's land and freshwater surface. One third of the world's soil carbon and 10% of global freshwater resources are found in these ecosystems. These ecosystems are characterized by the unique ability to accumulate and store dead organic matter from Sphagnum and many other non-moss species, in the form of peat, under conditions of almost permanent water saturation. Peatlands are adapted to extreme conditions of high water content and low oxygen content, toxic elements and low availability of nutrients for plants. The chemical composition of water varies from alkaline to acidic. Peatlands are present on all continents, from tropical to boreal and arctic areas, from sea level to alpine conditions.

A more recent estimate of an improved global peat bog map, PEATMAP,[11] based on a meta-analysis of geospatial information at global, regional and national scales, places global coverage slightly above previous peat bog inventories at 4.23 million square kilometers (1.63 million square miles), approximately 2.84% of the global land area.[12] In Europe, peat bogs extend over about 515,000 km.[13]​ About 60% of the world's wetlands are made up of peat.

Peat deposits are found in many places around the world, including northern Europe and North America. North American peat deposits are found primarily in Canada and the northern United States. Some of the largest peatlands in the world are the Western Siberian Lowlands, the Hudson Bay Lowlands, and the Mackenzie River Valley.[14] There is less peat in the Southern Hemisphere, partly because there is less land. That said, the largest tropical peat bog in the world is located in Africa (Democratic Republic of the Congo).[15]​ In addition, the vast Magellanic Páramo in South America (Southern Patagonia/Tierra del Fuego) is an extensive landscape dominated by peat.[14]​ Peat is found in New Zealand, Kerguelen, the Falkland Islands and Indonesia (Kalimantan -Sungai Putri, Danau Siawan, Sungai Tolak-, Rasau Jaya -West Kalimantan- and Sumatra). Indonesia has more tropical peatlands and mangroves than any other country in the world, but loses 100,000 hectares of wetlands a year.[16]​.

Around 7% of all peatlands have been exploited for agriculture and forestry.[17] Under certain conditions, peat will be converted to lignite coal over geological periods of time.

Gardening

In its fresh state it reaches up to 98% humidity, but once dried it can be used as fuel.

Peat is also used in gardening to improve soils due to its water retention capacity. The use of blonde peat is more common in soilless cultivation, because the black peat has poor aeration and high contents of soluble salts. Blonde peats have a good level of water retention and aeration, but they are very variable in terms of their composition since it depends on their origin. The instability of its structure and its high cation exchange capacity interfere with plant nutrition, as it has a pH that ranges between 3.5 and 8.5. It is used in ornamental and seedling production.

In the making of whiskey

Black peat is used in some areas of Scotland to dry the ingredients in whiskey, giving it a unique aroma. They are carbonaceous soils that have formed as a result of oxygen-free decomposition of dead plants. Natural peat is acidic and contains a lot of water. It has chemical compounds that are used for skin treatment. It ranges between 5 and 8 degrees Celsius in temperature.

Agriculture

In Sweden, farmers use dry peat to absorb excrement from livestock that spend the winter indoors. The most important property of peat moss is that it retains moisture in the potting soil when it is dry and prevents excess water from killing the roots when it is wet. Peat can store nutrients although it is not fertile itself - it is polyelectrolytic with a high ion exchange capacity due to its oxidized lignin. Since 2003, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, England, has discouraged peat as a soil amendment.[19] Although peat-free, bark-based potting soil mixes are increasing, particularly in the United Kingdom, peat remains an important horticultural raw material in other European countries, Canada, and parts of the United States.

freshwater aquariums

Peat is sometimes used in freshwater aquariums. It is more common in soft or black water river systems, such as those that imitate the Amazon River basin. In addition to being soft in texture and therefore suitable for demersal (bottom-dwelling) species such as the Corydoras catfish, peat is known to have other beneficial functions in freshwater aquariums. Softens water by acting as an ion exchanger; It also contains substances beneficial for plants and for the reproductive health of fish. Peat can prevent algae growth and kill microorganisms. Peat often stains water yellow or brown due to the leaching of tannins.[20]​.

Balneotherapy

Peat is widely used in balneotherapy (baths to treat diseases). Many traditional spa treatments include peat as part of the peloids. These health treatments have a long tradition in European countries such as Poland, the Czech Republic, Germany and Austria. Some of these old spas date back to the century and are still active today. The most common types of peat application in balneotherapy are peat muds, poultices and suspension baths.[21]​.

One of the best peatlands in Spain is located in the north of Galicia, in the Sierra del Gistral. In the Tablas de Daimiel national park (Castilla-La Mancha) in 2009 an "underground" fire was declared due to the self-combustion of the peat from the dry lands, previously flooded.[22]​.

On the other hand, in the extreme south of America, more specifically on the Big Island of Tierra del Fuego, Chile and Argentina, large areas of peat can be found. Geological and water studies from institutions in Tierra del Fuego affirm that 65% of the island's surface is covered by this vegetation and that, due to its oxygenation properties, this geographical location would be one of the owners of the cleanest air on the planet.