Ok, so it is important. What is being done to protect bogs?
So I've convinced you that bogs are habitats worth saving. "Well," you say, "is anyone doing anything to protect bogs and mires?" The answer is yes. In Estonia, many bogs and mires are protected areas. (Alumäe,H, pers. com., 19/9/00) During the period of Soviet occupation, there was a plan to drain all the bogs and cultivate the land. If you've been paying attention, you would know that bogs are poor in nutrients and therefore not good for cultivating crops. But fortunately, Estonian scientists who objected were supported by the populace, even if for different reasons. Scientists realized the importance of bogs, while the people just wanted a place to pick mushrooms and berries (and they wanted to protest the occupation). So the bogs were saved from outside interference.
In 1970 there was an international conference on wetlands, and because of this conference, the Ramsar convention was held. (Alumäe, H, pers. com., 19/9/00) The Ramsar convention was important in getting many wetlands on the lists of protected places in various countries. In Estonia, many of the wetlands are part of protected areas because of this. For example, the Soomaa National Park and the Nigula Nature Reserve are both protected areas. The Endla Nature Reserve (where my photographs were taken) is also a protected area. In Estonia there are at least 40 different areas that are protected as national parks or reserves.
Unfortunately, bogs cannot be protected completely. (Alumäe, H, pers. com., 19/9/00) National reserves can prevent people from trying to drain or otherwise damage the land, but they can't protect them from air pollution. Sphagnum moss (as well as other bog related plants) require an acidic environment to survive. Air pollution from nearby industry can cause the bogs to become more alkaline, and therefore damage the plants. Also, the areas that aren't specifically protected are used to collect peat, which destroys the bog.