Peatlands cover just 3% of the world’s surface, yet they contain nearly a third of all the organic carbon found in the earth’s soils, equivalent to approximately two-thirds of the entire atmospheric carbon pool. Peatland carbon has been recognised as a persistent and dynamic component of the terrestrial biosphere and the global climate system, however, peatlands have been overexploited due to drainage, agricultural conversion, forestry, burning, and mining for fuel.
Atmospheric CO2 emissions originating from peatlands contribute 3.5% of anthropogenic GHG emissions worldwide, and the loss of all peatlands globally could increase emissions by 75%. As opposed to degraded peatlands, which can emit GHGs at high rates, intact or growing peatlands reduce the concentration of GHGs in the atmosphere over time (they act as a carbon sink). Transitioning to a net-zero world is one of the greatest challenges humankind is facing. In that regard protecting peatlands through management, funding, education and collective effort can help humankind advancing the global net zero emission agenda.
This Article Collection aims to present and disseminate the most recent advances in the assessment, modelling, application, control, and management issues related to peatlands.
Topics of interest for publication include, but are not limited to:
- Land use and land-use changes (LULUC) related to peatland and GHG emissions
- Peatland carbon management
- Advancements in the peatland carbon footprint measurement methodology
- Strategies for achieving carbon neutrality using peatland
- Best management practices to accelerate decarbonisation
- Decision-support tools and modelling approaches for carbon management in peatlands and regional, national and global net zero emission target
- Economics of peatland conservation
- Policy, landscape and institutional issues
- Limitations and constraints in achieving global net zero emission target using peatland
