Why is peat shortaned?

I don't believe it is.

Peat moss is a growing, living plant.

When peat moss dies, it clumps together in a peat bog of water, and over the decades, gets more and more compacted. This product is then called, "Peat".

The peat then can be cut into pieces and taken home to use as fuel for the stove or fireplace. This is very handy when there is not much wood around, and coal is too expensive.