Raise awareness amongst the public (general)

Overall effectiveness category Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence)
Number of studies: 1
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How is the evidence assessed?

Effectiveness

60%
Certainty

25%
Harms

0%

Calculating overall effectiveness category

Background information and definitions

The public could be educated about the importance of peatlands, threats they face and what can be done to protect them. Messages could be conveyed through information boards, talks, art projects, adverts, leaflets, celebrity endorsements and social media.

This section considers the effectiveness of awareness-raising about peatlands in general (e.g. their biodiversity and value for humans) and education about simple actions to prevent damage to peatlands (such as using peat-free compost and avoiding products containing palm oil) which might develop markets for sustainably produced peatland products.

Key peatland types for which this action may be appropriate: bogs, fens/fen meadows, tropical peat swamps.

Study locations

Key messages

One study evaluated the effects of interventions to raise general public awareness about peatlands on knowledge, behaviour, peatland habitats or peatland vegetation. The study reported effects on unspecified peatlands.
Behaviour change (1 study): One before-and-after study in the UK reported that following awareness-raising activities, the percentage of the public buying peat-free compost increased.

About key messages

Key messages provide a descriptive index to studies we have found that test this intervention.

Studies are not directly comparable or of equal value. When making decisions based on this evidence, you should consider factors such as study size, study design, reported metrics and relevance of the study to your situation, rather than simply counting the number of studies that support a particular interpretation.

Supporting evidence from individual studies

A before-and-after study in 1990–2007 in the UK (Alexander et al. 2008) reported that following multiple public awareness campaigns about peat in compost, the proportion of people buying peat free compost increased. These results were not tested for statistical significance. In 2007, 35% of people surveyed had purchased peat free compost, compared to 0% before campaigning in 1990. In 2007, 60% of people surveyed were aware of peat free composts and 47% said that it was very or fairly important that their compost is peat free (no data reported for 1990). The 2007 survey, of 1,811 people, was carried out by a UK do-it-yourself retailer. The study does not report the source of the 1990 data. Awareness-raising was carried out by the Peatlands Campaign Consortium, a group of 10 UK conservation organizations aiming to protect peatlands and increase public awareness of their value and degradation. Specific activities included publishing reports and leaflets, organizing seminars, establishing a National Bog Day and placing education volunteers in garden centres.
Study and other actions tested
Referenced paper
Alexander P.D., Bragg N.C., Meade R., Padelopoulos G. & Watts O. (2008) Peat in horticulture and conservation: the UK response to a changing world. Mires and Peat, 3, Article-8.

Please cite as:

Taylor, N.G., Grillas, P. & Sutherland, W.J. (2020) Peatland Conservation. Pages 367-430 in: W.J. Sutherland, L.V. Dicks, S.O. Petrovan & R.K. Smith (eds) What Works in Conservation 2020. Open Book Publishers, Cambridge, UK.

Where has this evidence come from?

List of journals searched by synopsis

All the journals searched for all synopses

This Action forms part of the Action Synopsis:

Peatland Conservation

Related Actions

Actions	Effectiveness	Studies	Category
Raise awareness through engaging volunteers in peatland management or monitoring Action Link	No evidence found (no assessment)	0	Synopsis Link
Raise awareness amongst the public (problematic species) Action Link	No evidence found (no assessment)	0	Synopsis Link
Lobby, campaign or demonstrate to protect peatlands Action Link	Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence)	2	Synopsis Link