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Predicted hotter summers and rougher winter storms could ruin peatlands, according to the research. A vicious cycle could ensue where climate change damages peatlands so that they in turn contribute to a warmer world.

Peatlands in the uplands and moors of Britain are already "the most severely eroded in the world" according to author of the study Dr Martin Evans, senior lecturer in geography at the University of Manchester. If the erosion becomes more widespread around 30% of the carbon stored in the UK's blanket peatlands could be released into the atmosphere further enhancing global warming.

Bogs, fens and mires – called peatlands by geographers - are areas full of rotting plant material accumulated over thousands of years. Carbon is stored in the blanket peatlands of mid Wales, across the Peak District, Yorkshire Dales, North Pennines and on to the moors of Lancashire, the Cumbrian Fells and up to the Cheviot Hills as well as in Scotland.

Through pollution, burning moorland and grazing animals, Britons have pushed bog environments across the country to the brink, according to the study. As UK blanket peatlands in northern latitudes are a major store of carbon containing around 10 times UK annual emissions this could be a major threat to the UK's efforts to reduce its carbon emissions.

It's not all bad news, however – Britain's bogs have the potential to sink our carbon emissions for good. Unlike offsetting schemes such as planting trees, any plants growing on the surface of peaty areas sink into the bog when they die, taking the carbon they hold with them, helping to reduce carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. By making sure water levels in Britain's bogs are topped up, and by growing extra plants in boggy areas, the UK could significantly reduce its carbon emissions, the study adds.

Geographer Dr Martin Evans of the University of Manchester said:
"We need to act now to restore our degrading peatlands before our efforts to reduce our carbon emissions get stuck in the mire. By bringing all of Britain's bogs into good condition we can store more carbon and prevent the loss of carbon stored up over thousands of years. Peatlands are an important part of Britain's upland landscape. Careful management of Britain's upland peatlands can preserve them for the future and play a part in tackling climate change"