The world’s peatlands are in serious trouble. A recent study highlights that these vital ecosystems, which only cover 3% of the Earth’s land, hold more carbon than all the forests combined. However, activities like farming and mining are draining these peatlands, releasing enormous amounts of CO₂. In fact, if peatlands were a country, they would be the fourth-largest emitter of carbon dioxide after China, the US, and India.
Shockingly, just 17% of peatlands are in protected areas. This is much lower than the protection levels for other ecosystems like tropical forests and mangroves, which are at 38% and 42% respectively. In countries like Canada, Russia, and Indonesia—home to the most peatlands—the situation is even bleaker. Although the US and Brazil also have significant peatland areas, they still fall short on effective protection.
Scientists emphasize that conserving and restoring peatlands is crucial for tackling climate change. Almost a quarter of these areas are under severe pressure from human activities. Taking action to protect peatlands is not just necessary but also cost-effective. Interestingly, a good portion of these areas is on Indigenous lands, which tend to have better environmental outcomes.
Dr. Kemen Austin from the Wildlife Conservation Society, who led the study, calls peatlands “ultra-high-value ecosystems.” They do much more than store carbon; they help manage water flow, preventing floods and droughts, and they support diverse wildlife, including various plants and animals. “The carbon in peatlands took hundreds to thousands of years to accumulate, and we can’t replace it quickly,” Austin explains. “Once disturbed, we can’t easily recover that carbon.”
These wetlands, often referred to as bogs, fens, swamps, or mires, form when dead plant material accumulates and decomposes slowly in waterlogged conditions. But when drained for agriculture or development, they release vast amounts of CO₂, equal to over half a century’s worth of current global emissions.
The study, published in the journal Conservation Letters, found that while 17% of peatlands are considered protected, only half of those have strict protections. For example, the Republic of the Congo has nearly 90% of its peatlands within protected areas, but less than 1% enjoys strict protection. In contrast, the UK ranks 12th globally, with 41% of its peatlands protected. Yet, around 80% of these areas are already damaged from drainage, overgrazing, and burning.
To better safeguard peatlands, the researchers recommend expanding protected regions and improving the management of current sites, as many lack funding. Implementing stronger environmental regulations and enhancing Indigenous land rights are also vital steps. There’s an opportunity in 2025 for nations to include peatland protection in their climate plans submitted to UN organizations.
Experts like Prof. Chris Evans from the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology stress the importance of peatlands, noting they are often overlooked due to their flat and wet nature. They’re not as visually striking as forests, but the carbon they sequester is immensely significant. Even peatlands that are currently farmed can be improved by reducing drainage depths, which could cut global emissions by about 2% while maintaining agricultural use.
With the impacts of climate change threatening the viability of peatlands, experts urge immediate action. Protecting these ecosystems is not only a matter of environmental responsibility but also a crucial step in the fight against climate change.
