Academic Centre
Globally, peatlands are considered to be ecosystems of great importance. Peatlands are rich in biodiversity and play a crucial role in climate regulation and water cycling. The layer of peat that is developed over thousands of years in these areas acts as an immense carbon sink. Due to drainage of peatlands, large quantities of greenhouse gases are released, contributing to global warming.
Financed by the European Commission and based on the cooperation of Latvia, Finland, Germany and Denmark, project LIFE21-CCM-LV-LIFE-PeatCarbon aims to successfully implement climate change mitigation (CCM) measures in raised bogs in Latvia and Finland. To stop continual degradation and release of carbon emissions from these peatlands, dams in drainage ditches along the bog perimeters will be constructed. The water-soaked earth will allow vegetation to regrow in degraded areas and prevent carbon from being released from the peat. An important aspect of the project is the utilization of innovative methods, including the creation of an ecosystem model based on remote sensing and monitoring results. Through these innovative methods, resulting changes in the hydrology, vegetation and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions can be supervised closely. Monitoring also provides and contributes to knowledge on decreasing GHG emissions that can later be accessed by policy-makers and the general public. Knowledge sharing events hosted by Germany and Denmark at the end of the project to educate politicians, experts and the public will promote the results of the project and the importance of peatlands in carbon emission reduction.
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
