By The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
UNEP Europe Office
Wet Tundra at Northern Yamal, Russian Arctic (2016) by © GRID-Arendal/Peter ProkoshThe United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
What are peatlands?
Present in more than 180 countries, peatlands (also named bogs) are vital, super-powered ecosystems.
Though they cover only 3% of the world’s land, they store nearly 30% of its soil carbon. Bogs also house rare plants and animals that cannot survive in other environments.
Brent Geese hatching, Sterlegova, Siberian Arctic, Russia (2016) by © GRID-Arendal/Peter ProkoshThe United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Peatlands are terrestrial wetlands ecosystems where the production of organic matter exceeds its decomposition, which results in peat accumulation.
They provide vital services like water supply, flood water storage, pollution control, groundwater recharge, and prevention against floods and droughts.
Wild For Life Journeys - Peatlands (2020) by © GRID-Arendal/Peter ProkoshOriginal Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHn6QOVEZQU
Reinder (Rangifer Tarandus Platyrhynchus), Svalbard, Norway (2016) by © GRID-Arendal/Peter ProkoshThe United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Biodiversity in peatlands
Peatlands sustain a rich and unique range of plants and animals across the world. Temperate peatlands host very different biodiversity than tropical ones, but all have a unique mix. The presence and abundance of certain species within a specific peatland can indicate the health of that habitat.
Taiga landscape near Rovaniemi, Finland (2013) by © GRID-Arendal/Peter ProkoshOriginal Source: http://www.grida.no/resources/4013
Carbon storage
Due to the process of peat accumulation, peatlands are carbon rich ecosystems that store and sequester more carbon than any other type of terrestrial ecosystem.
Lakes in Great Kemeri Bog, Latvia (2017) by © GRID-Arendal/Runa S. LindebjergOriginal Source: http://www.grida.no/resources/11011
Ecological benefits
In their natural wet state, peatlands provide indispensable nature-based solutions for adapting to and mitigating the effects of climate change.
This includes regulating water flows, minimising the risk of flooding and drought, and preventing seawater intrusion.
Arctic Foxes (Alopex Lagopus), Lena Delta, Russia (2010) by © GRID-Arendal/Peter ProkoshOriginal Source: http://www.grida.no/resources/1809
Additional ecological value
Although peatlands are often seen as mostly unproductive land, they offer incredible value beyond their carbon storage ability. They provide many ecosystem services such as water purification and habitats for unique and varied animals and plants.
Yaks hearding in central Mongolia (2018) by © Richard MortelOriginal Source: https://flic.kr/p/M5AG4n
Supporting livelihood
Peatlands also support human livelihoods around the world. In Mongolia for example, nomadic peoples have driven their herds over peatland landscapes for centuries.
Peat Stacks in Connemara, Ireland (2018) by © Bernd ThallerOriginal Source: https://flic.kr/p/TC73Jj
Different uses of peat extracted from bogs
- In horticulture, as a soil improver
- Domestic heating, as an alternative to firewood
- Household cooking
- Production of small amounts of electricity.
- Water filtration
- Wastewater treatment
Blueberries (Vaccinium myrtillus) , Mykland, Aust Agder, Norway (2013) by © GRID-Arendal/Peter ProkoshOriginal Source: http://www.grida.no/resources/4556
Atmosperic pollution
Peatlands are very sensitive to air pollution, particularly high loads of reactive nitrogen in rain (acid rain).
Nitrogen compounds come from the excessive use of fertilizers in agriculture, and energy from fossil fuels.
Round-leaved sundew, United Kingdom (2009) by © Natural England/Peter Roworth 2009Original Source: https://flic.kr/p/2jKGzn8
Peatlands and climate change
High nitrogen deposition threatens the long-term carbon storage capacity of peatlands and releases stored CO2 into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change.
This also changes the functioning and biodiversity of peatlands.
Little Stint (Calidris Minuta), Lena Delta, Russia (2010) by © GRID-Arendal/Peter ProkoshOriginal Source: http://www.grida.no/resources/1783
Worldwide, urgent action is needed to protect, sustainably manage, and restore peatlands!
Join us and learn more!
- United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration
- UNEP Ecosystem Restoration Playbook.
- UNEP & FAO: Becoming #GenerationRestoration: Ecosystem Restoration for People, Nature and Climate
- Society for Ecological Restoration:
International Principles and Standards for the Practice of Ecological Restoration
- Peatlands and Climate Change, IUCN
- International Peatlands Society (IPS)
- International Mire Conservation Group (IMCG)
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Europe Office
