Bogs are a type of peatland that cover only about 3% of the planet but store a third of its land-based carbon. Their acidic, waterlogged conditions slow plant decay to a near standstill, locking carbon in place for thousands of years. When bogs are drained or dried out by drought, they can become a wildfire risk and release that stored carbon. Beyond carbon storage, bogs act as natural water filters, trapping pollutants as water seeps through. They also absorb heavy rainfall and release it slowly, helping to reduce flood risk. Healthy bogs can slow the spread of wildfires because their waterlogged peat resists burning. The article highlights that dried-out bogs in Alaska contributed to a costly 2019 wildfire that smoldered through winter.
