Peatlands are Carbon Storage Marvels

Peatlands are like wet wonderlands that come in different forms, like bogs (created by rainwater supply) and fens (created by groundwater supply). Peatlands can be hidden under forests, grasslands, or marshes, or appear as open, treeless spaces [1]. As you can guess from the name, peatlands contain a spongey substance called peat. Peat is formed over many years (even thousands) from the remains of dead plants and animals. Peatlands do not contain much oxygen, which is necessary for the decay process, so the dead organisms pile up faster than they can break down. This creates peat layers that can be super thick—even more than 10 m!

Despite covering only around 3% of Earth’s surface, peatlands are carbon storage champions, holding a massive amount of carbon—about 550 trillion metric tons, which is twice the total of all the world’s forests combined, and it means around 30% of global carbon [1–3]. Plants soak up carbon dioxide from the air and store it in their structures. With their wet environment and slow decay, peatlands ensure that carbon stays put and does not escape into the air, where it can contribute to global warming [1–3]. Peatlands do more than just store carbon—they also help purify water and provide a cozy home for amazing creatures, like cranes, snakes, and even flesh-eating plants [1]! These special things nature does to help us are called ecosystem services (Figure 1).

But human activities are causing problems for these ecosystems. When we dry out peatlands for farming or to harvest the peat for other uses, this releases a lot of carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere—roughly 6% of all the harmful greenhouse gases that humans produce. Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere make the Earth hotter, leading to problems like fires and pollution. Additionally, when peatlands are drained, the water disappears, and biodiversity suffers too—many unique plants and animals that rely on wet conditions cannot survive in the dry environment after draining. We must protect peatlands, keep carbon locked up, and keep our planet safe.

Meet the Superstar: Sphagnum

Meet the peat mosses, also known by their Latin name, Sphagnum. Imagine a group of mosses hanging out, each with its unique style, shape, and color (Figure 2).

These mosses are the stars of peatlands. While other mosses live in peatlands too—like Hypnum and Polytrichum—the unique traits of Sphagnum make it the top player in these ecosystems, especially peatlands far from the equator. It is mind-blowing that tiny mosses can make entire peatlands [1] (Figure 3). They are like powerful sponges that can suck up lots of water. Mosses also lower the pH of the water around them, further slowing down the decay of dead plants and animals [1]. They are even happy in spots with little food because they are like food catchers—grabbing whatever bits of food come their way. This makes it hard for other plants to live next to Sphagnum, allowing it to grow in fluffy carpets.

Helping Peatlands to Heal

Because degraded peatlands are emitting a lot of carbon back into the atmosphere, researchers and authorities are working hard to fix the problem. They want to make peatlands healthy again. One idea is to put water back into them, a process called rewetting. But while rewetting the land is good for nature, it is not so good for farmers who use the land to grow crops. We need a solution that works for everyone.

And guess what can help? Sphagnum! There is a new idea called paludiculture, which means growing plants like Sphagnum on peat that is made wet again—by rewetting—, and it is a win-win situation (Figure 2). Therefore, first, you need to rewet the peatland, and then, start growing plants that survive well in wet conditions. Investing in Sphagnum paludiculture generates many benefits. From an economic perspective, Sphagnum can be sold for growing plants, which is probably the most sustainable use, but it can also be used for burning to generate fuel and heating, or used for decoration and staying warm, and even treating sewage!

Our research group is trying to discover which Sphagnum is the best for paludiculture. We still have so much to learn. For example, some Sphagnum species grow fast, while others grow slow but are more resistant to changes in climate. Which one is better? We are also trying to figure out how we can make the land just right for Sphagnum, especially in terms of the amount of water and what other plants that can be grown with it.

Finally, we need to find good ways of telling people about the benefits of growing Sphagnum. This is pretty important because we still see resistance from farmers. Sometimes, farmers do not have enough money to start new ways of farming, or the weather or rules in some places make growing Sphagnum hard to do. Other times, farmers just do not know about Sphagnum or do not want to change. So, we are working hard to help our planet, make peatlands happy, and help people who use the land.

Besides Sphagnum paludiculture, restored peatlands can be used for nature-based tourism—people can enjoy the beauty of peatlands and learn about these unique ecosystems. Also, peatlands can be left alone to continue their natural role as carbon storage and biodiversity hotspots. By protecting them, we ensure their important services for the planet.

You Can Help Save Peatlands!

Did you know that you hold the key to making our planet healthier? It all starts with being conscientious and caring for our precious peatlands. But how can you make a difference?

Most importantly, talking about environmental issues with your friends and family is like planting seeds of change. There are other actions you can take, too. For example, have you ever heard of palm oil? It might be in some of your favorite snacks and everyday products… but did you know that its production can harm peatlands? In places like Southeast Asia, peatland forests are being damaged because of the palm oil industry. Indonesia, for example, supplies over half of the global palm oil used in processed snacks, such as instant noodles, cookies, ice cream, and chocolate, as well as shampoos, cosmetics, and detergents. By checking product labels and choosing palm oil-free options, you are saying “no” to harming peatlands and “yes” to helping them thrive! You can also check here to see which companies are committed to a responsible palm oil future.

But that is not all—you can also make a difference by choosing products that do not use peat. For example, in the Netherlands, some of the delicious Dutch cheese comes from drained peatlands. But there are better ways to make cheese that does not harm the environment. Choosing peat-free alternatives is like giving Mother Nature a high-five. This small change might seem like a tiny step, but it is actually a giant leap for peatland protection!

So, young eco-warriors, remember this—every choice you make matters. By being aware, making smart choices, and supporting peatland-friendly products, you are using your power to create a brighter, greener future for everyone. You are not just changing products, you are changing the world!

Glossary

Peatlands: ↑ A land that consists largely of peat.

Peat: ↑ Brown, soil-like material found in wet areas, formed as dead plants and animals partially break down.

Ecosystem Services: ↑ Special things nature does to help us with, like trees giving us clean air and rivers giving us pure water.

Greenhouse Gases: ↑ Gases present in Earth’s atmosphere that trap heat and contribute to the greenhouse effect. They include carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.

Biodiversity: ↑ All the different living things on Earth, like plants, animals, and microorganisms.

Rewetting: ↑ In the context of peatlands refers to the intentional reintroduction of water into these ecosystems.

Paludiculture: ↑ Crop production in wet soils.

Sustainable: ↑ Involving practices and actions that meet current human needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

Acknowledgments

CF was supported by Wet Horizons (Horizon Europe GAP-101056848).

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.