After the peat soils are dry, care is needed to avoid wind erosion, as seen here, since the peat is very light. Also, peat will oxidize slowly once the water table has been lowered, and in some cases it can even catch on fire. After peat has been farmed for a number of years, the fields will be considerably lower due to subsidence. Notice this peat field's elevation compared to the road. Peat is an important component of potting soil mixes, soil conditioners, rooting medium, and packing medium for shipping.
Peats increase the water storage capacity of sandy soils and the permeability of heavy clay soils.
Added to any soil, peat will increase the nutrient holding capacity of the soil. Peat can also be molded into peat pots or containers that can be used to germinate seedlings. When they are ready for transplanting, they can be put directly in the soil with minimal root disturbance. The peat will then gradually decompose. Peat is a resource that will become even more valuable in the future as our fossil fuel resources become more scarce.