Managing Peatland Ecosystem Services: Current UK policy and future challenges in a changing world.

Competing management priorities in peatland policy have become more critical as a result of growing demand for, and decreasing supply of, peatland ecosystem services. Disconnected policies that govern peatland ecosystem service use have resulted in a complex policy landscape in the UK, and unclear strategies with regards to ecosystem service trade-offs. This paper reviews contemporary policies relating to three broad categories of peatland ecosystem service (provisioning; regulating; and cultural), developed and driven at multiple levels (global to local). We argue throughout the paper that dealing effectively with trade-offs requires integrated policies, and we conclude by discussing the kinds of integrated policies that are beginning to emerge and may shape future peatland management.