A bog is a type of wetland that accumulates partially decayed plant matter called peat. The majority of peat is made up of incompletely decomposed sedges, grasses, reeds and mosses. Peat bogs usually form in areas where there is almost no chance for drainage, and the amount of rainfall is greater than the evaporation rate. In peat bogs moisture is provided entirely by precipitation. With no chance for drainage, the water becomes waterlogged and for this reason bog waters become acidic.  

Plant matter is prevented from quickly decaying by the acidic conditions found in peat bogs. As a result, a unique ecosystem is created where many rare and specialized organism are found. These anaerobic conditions also allow for the preservation of almost anything that falls into a bog, including people. One example is the “bog people” found in European bogs. The bodies have been found to have hair, skin, and clothing preserved. Scientific studies have dated some these bodies to be at least 10,000 years old.  

Characteristics of peat bogs are dependent on their location and climatic conditions. Their specific definition also varies by global location. What is known is that largest concentrations of peat are found mainly in Canada , Alaska , Northern-Europe, Western Siberia, South-East Asia , and parts of the Amazon basin.