Bogs and fens are unique communities that can be destroyed in a matter of days, but require hundreds, if not thousands, of years to form naturally. Total acreage of bogs has declined. Historically, bogs were drained to make room for cropland or mined for their peat which is used as a fuel and soil amendment.

About 1,400 square miles of undisturbed pocosins remain today. By comparison, more than 3,000 square miles were drained between 1962 and 1979. Historically, pocosins were mostly threatened by agriculture. Today, timber harvesting, peat mining, and phosphate mining join agriculture as the biggest threats to the remaining undisturbed pocosins.

Numerous conservation groups and government organizations protect bogs and fens for their unique conservation value. However, private landowners can also assist in their protection. Timber harvesting and other activities should be kept at a distance from bogs and fens. Peatland vegetation is slow to recover from disturbance so access should be kept to a minimum.