Peat is partially decayed plant matter that accumulates in wetland areas called peatlands. It covers about a sixth of Ireland's area, mainly in the western regions, in two types of bogs - raised bogs and blanket bogs. While peat harvesting has traditionally been done manually, mechanization over the last century has increased production rates and reduced labor needs. However, increased exploitation of peatlands has resulted in over half of Ireland's original peatland areas being lost. There is debate around balancing peat usage with protection of these important habitats versus transitioning to renewable energy alternatives like wind power.