ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Science → News

How the humble Sphagnum moss can become our protector against floods

Bio-engineering at its finest.

Rupendra BrahambhattbyRupendra Brahambhatt
October 10, 2022
in Biology, Climate, Eco tips, Environmental Issues, News, Research, Science, World Problems
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

According to a recently published report from researchers at Moors for the Future organization, planting sphagnum moss on mountain peaks could save communities living downstream from flooding. The researchers claim that sphagnum moss is so good at absorbing water that during a storm, it can reduce the amount of water coming into a river from an upland by 65%.

Six years ago, rainwater falling on the Kinder scout region used to flood downstream valleys, adversely affecting the lives of communities living there, but now the situation has changed. Moss spreading on a plateau. Image credits: Pok Rie/Unsplash

Moors for the Future is a partnership between private and public organizations aiming to improve the conservation and environmental protection of moorlands in the UK. In 2016, the researchers associated with the group planted 50,000 sphagnum moss plants on Kinder Scout, a hill plateau located at a height of 636 meters from sea level, in a national natural reserve called Peak District. The goal was to build an “outdoor laboratory” and observe how the moss would affect the risk of flooding. Now, the results are finally in.

The unheard superpower of sphagnum moss 

A sphagnum moss plant, whether it is alive or dead, can hold up to 20 times more water than its own weight. When grown on a suitable soil (as is the case in the British moorlands), the sphagnum also acts as a protective layer for the peat (organic matter) and supports the formation of new peat layers beneath it. This not only good because it absorbs carbon from the atmosphere, but it can also help regulate water runoff.

In the Lkae District, the researchers noticed that the grown moss cover on the plateau has increased the time take taken by rainwater to reach rivers downstream by a staggering 680%.

Image credits: Pixabay/Pexels

This means that the speed at which rainwater reaches the river is greatly decreased, and even in times of excessive rainfall, when floods are more likely to happen, the risk of a flash flood is greatly reduced — and even if it does happen, this gives communities living nearby the rivers have more time to prepare.

While highlighting the benefits of sphagnum plantation on Kinder Scout, research assistant at Moors for the Future, Tom Spencer told The Guardian. The sphagnum moss plants have “far-reaching benefits for communities downstream” as they have turned out to be “a powerful tool in minimising the risk and severity of flooding,” the researcher says.  

The researchers claim that sphagnum plantation is one of the most promising natural flood management techniques. It has the potential to mitigate the impact of climate change-driven calamities such as powerful storms and floods in catchment areas. Moreover, it could also provide benefits such as improved water quality since many previous studies have demonstrated that sphagnum moss has the ability to purify water naturally.

RelatedPosts

Google’s new flood AI can predict risk even where no data flows
Sea level rise could threaten 300,000 US coastal homes, in the “business-as-usual” scenario
NASA says U.S. coastal cities should expect frequent high-tide floods by mid-2030, and the Moon is partly to blame
Levees at work against Mississippi flood

In 2018, researchers from Stockholm University came across a moss species that was capable of absorbing poisonous substances such as arsenic from water. The researchers claimed that the moss could purify the contaminated water and make it completely safe for drinking.  

A sustainable approach for preventing floods 

As compared to traditional flood prevention techniques that often involve constructing costly flood-proofing structures, planting sphagnum moss is a much easier and budget-friendlier flood management technique. Sphagnum moss can be easily grown in regions with wet climatic conditions and one can buy these super-plants from even a local nursery. 

The approach highlighted by researchers at Moors for the Future seems like a great solution for communities living in catchment zones across the globe. However, we would like to point out that in the news release, the researchers did not mention if their findings were peer-reviewed or not.

The original report is published here.

Tags: floodflood preventionsphagnum moss

ShareTweetShare
Rupendra Brahambhatt

Rupendra Brahambhatt

Rupendra Brahambhatt is an experienced journalist and filmmaker covering culture, science, and entertainment news for the past five years. With a background in Zoology and Communication, he has been actively working with some of the most innovative media agencies in different parts of the globe.

Related Posts

Future

Google’s new flood AI can predict risk even where no data flows

byMihai Andrei
1 year ago
Climate

Europe’s deadly floods were much more likely because of climate change

byFermin Koop
4 years ago
Environment

NASA says U.S. coastal cities should expect frequent high-tide floods by mid-2030, and the Moon is partly to blame

byAlexandru Micu
4 years ago
Archaeology

Mythological fake news: 3000-year-old Babylonian tablet that inspired biblical Noah is based on trickster god

byMihai Andrei
5 years ago

Recent news

Whale Tagging at Dawn and Other Stunning Photos of Science in the Wild”

May 13, 2025

Antarctica has a huge, completely hidden mountain range. New data reveals its birth over 500 million years ago

May 13, 2025
AI-generated image.

Does AI Have Free Will? This Philosopher Thinks So

May 13, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.