Moss in smoking malt in the production of Scotch whisky. "Sphagnum" moss, generally the species "S. cristatum" and "S. subnitens", is harvested while still growing and is dried out to be used in nurseries and horticulture as a plant growing medium. The practice of harvesting "peat moss" should not be confused with the harvesting of "moss peat". "Peat moss" can be harvested on a sustainable basis and managed so that regrowth is allowed, whereas the harvesting of "moss peat" is generally considered to cause significant environmental damage as the peat is stripped with little or no chance of recovery. Some "Sphagnum"
Blawhorn Moss National Nature Reserve area by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and is also designated as both a Special Area of Conservation and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The reserve is owned and managed by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). Blawhorn Moss provides an important habitat for wildlife and supports many of the plant species representative of bog habitat. A number of sphagnum mosses grow here, as well as heather, crowberry, hare’s-tail cotton grass and common cotton grass. A variety of bird species breed on the moss, including red grouse, snipe, curlew and redshank. Stonechat, skylark and meadow pipit are also regularly