Peat consists of dead plant remains that only partially decompose in the absence of air in the moor. Over the course of thousands of years, layers meter-thick form in moors. Peat was an important fuel in northern Germany in earlier times and was the only alternative to wood before the discovery of coal. Nowadays, peat is primarily used as a high-quality raw material for soil in gardening.
Today, peat mining is linked to strict requirements. After the peat has been removed, the areas are rewetted so that the peat-forming moors can be generated again. On average, it takes ten years for one centimeter of peat to form, so it takes 1,000 years for one meter.
Note: There is an absolute ban on smoking in moorland areas!