SCIENTISTS say measures to protect peat bogs should include improved compensation for farmers.

Peat bogs are the UK’s largest carbon store,keeping 3bn tonnes of carbon dioxide locked away from the Earth’s atmosphere.

They also provide 70pc of Britain’s drinking water and play a key role in supporting some of the world’s rarest and most important animal and plant species.

Aberdeen scientists are leading investigations into protecting them from climate change.

Healthy peat absorbs and stores carbon, but when it degradescarbondioxideisreleased.

Many peatlands are drying out as a consequence of past damage made worse by warmer weather and lack of summer rain due to climate change.

Academics from the University of Aberdeen are now working with nine other universities and research institutes to develop recommendations for the future safeguarding of peatlands.

They are likely to include advice that those who farm on peatlands are compensated for the amount of preservation work they do to them.

Currently farmers are compensated on the area of peatland they own.

Dr Mark Reed, of the University’s School of Geosciences, said: “Our suggestion would be that they are rewarded based on the value and level of their work in preserving and restoring this precious natural resource.”