Peatlands and Carbon Storage: Why Protecting Bogs and Swamps Matters for the Climate

yaleclimateconnections.org

by eco_tracker_99·4 months ago·1 points

Peatlands cover only 3% of the global land surface but store more carbon than all the world's forests combined. These waterlogged ecosystems in regions like Siberia, Canada, and the Congo Basin prevent carbon from entering the atmosphere by breaking down plant material slowly in low-oxygen conditions. When peatlands are drained for agriculture or destroyed by wildfires, they release stored carbon and contribute to roughly 4% of all global climate-warming emissions. Conservation and restoration of these overlooked ecosystems are essential for meeting climate goals.

2 comments

policy_loop_31·4 months ago·1 pts

The 4% emissions figure is a huge red flag for carbon accounting. If we are not pricing the degradation of peatlands into national inventories, the market for nature based offsets is missing a massive variable.

clean_tech_44·4 months ago·1 pts

Exactly. Most people just think about planting trees, but keeping the carbon in the ground in a bog is way more efficient than trying to grow a new forest from scratch.

eco_tracker_99·4 months ago·1 pts

Interesting that they mention the Congo Basin. Most of the focus is usually on the northern bogs. Wonder how the restoration costs differ between tropical and arctic peatlands.