veen

Veen is the Dutch word for peat, a partially decayed plant matter that forms in waterlogged, acidic environments. Peat accumulates when plant material is deposited faster than it decomposes, a process driven by low oxygen, cool temperatures, and wet conditions. Over centuries to millennia, thick peat layers develop, often overlying mineral soil or sand. The dominant peat-forming plants are mosses of the genus Sphagnum, although grasses, sedges, and other vegetation contribute to the peat's structure and chemistry.

Peatlands are a type of wetland found in cool, temperate regions with poor drainage. The Netherlands, northern Germany, the Baltic countries, Scandinavia, Russia, parts of Canada and the northern United States possess extensive peat deposits. Besides their geological interest, peatlands support unique ecosystems and act as important carbon sinks.

Historically, peat was used as a fuel and as a growing medium in horticulture. Drainage of peatlands for agriculture or mining has caused land subsidence and substantial carbon emissions. Accordingly, many peatlands are now protected or restored. Restoration measures include rewetting to raise water levels, reestablishing native vegetation such as Sphagnum moss, and hydrological management to slow oxidation and encourage peat formation.

Conservation efforts aim to balance land use with climate goals, biodiversity, and water regulation. The term "veen" thus appears in environmental policy, landscape history, and botany as the Dutch concept of peat and peatlands.