Recently, the Global Peatland Hotspot Atlas (GPHA), 2024 has been published by the UNEP.
About Global Peatland Hotspot Atlas
- Published by the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Global Peatlands Initiative.
- Purpose: To provide data and insights into the global state of peatlands, highlighting threats and opportunities for conservation and sustainable management.
- Objective: Bridge the gap between science and policy for informed decision-making on peatland conservation.
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Key Findings of the 2024 Atlas
- Map Updation: The Atlas expands on the Global Peatlands Assessment (2022) and the Global Peatland Map 2.0, key products of the UNEP Global Peatlands Initiative.
- It updated hotspot maps intersecting data on climate change, land use and Biodiversity.
- Peatland Distribution and Degradation: The Atlas identifies 488 million hectares of peatlands globally, with a concerning 12% classified as highly degraded.
- Peatland Emissions: Human activity is causing significant emissions from degraded peatlands, contributing to 1,941 Mt CO₂ per year.
About Peatlands
- Definition: Peatlands are unique wetland ecosystems where waterlogged conditions slow down plant decomposition, leading to the formation of peat soils.
- Distribution: Found in nearly all countries, covering about 3 to 4 percent of the Earth’s land surface.
- Regions: Eastern Himalayas, Western Ghats, and the North-East Indian region.
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- Peatlands cover a relatively small percentage of India’s landmass, estimated to be around 0.2% generally found in Eastern Himalayas, Western Ghats, and the North-East Indian region.
- The Congo Basin holds the largest known tropical peatland.
Types of Peatlands found around the World
| Type of Peatland |
Description |
Key Locations Around the World |
| Mires |
Actively accumulating peat, typically in wetlands. |
Canada, Russia, Scandinavia, Indonesia, and the Amazon Basin. |
| Bogs (Ombrogenous Mires) |
Raised peatlands receiving water only from precipitation, nutrient-poor and acidic. |
Northern Europe (Ireland, Scotland, Finland), Canada, Russia, and parts of the Northeastern United States. |
| Fens (Geogenous Mires) |
Peatlands in depressions, fed by mineral-rich water, less acidic than bogs. |
Central Europe (Germany, Poland), the Great Lakes region (USA and Canada), and the Western Siberian Plain. |
| Soligenous Fens |
Receive water from both precipitation and surface runoff, often rich in nutrients. |
Central Europe, the Alps, and Eastern Canada. |
| Lithogenous Fens |
Receive water from precipitation and deep groundwater, forming in valleys or basins. |
Himalayan foothills, New Zealand, and temperate regions of South America (Patagonia). |
| Histosols |
Peatland soils with high organic carbon content (12-18%) and a minimum thickness of 40 cm. |
Tropical peatlands (Indonesia, Malaysia), Boreal peatlands (Russia, Canada), and temperate regions (Scotland, Ireland). |
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Difference Between Peatlands and Wetlands
| Aspect |
Peatlands |
Wetlands |
| Definition |
Peatlands are a specific type of wetland characterized by the accumulation of peat (partially decayed organic matter). |
Wetlands are ecosystems where the land is saturated with water either permanently or seasonally, supporting aquatic vegetation. |
| Soil Composition |
Composed primarily of organic soils rich in carbon (peat), with at least 40 cm of organic material. |
Can have mineral or organic soils, often less carbon-rich compared to peatlands. |
| Primary Functions |
Act as major carbon sinks, storing vast amounts of organic carbon. |
Provide diverse ecological functions like water filtration, flood regulation, and habitat for a variety of species. |
| Global Distribution |
Found in cooler climates, such as boreal and tropical regions (e.g., Canada, Indonesia). |
Distributed globally, in both tropical and temperate regions, including marshes, swamps, and mangroves. |
Role of Peatlands in Ecology
- Carbon Storage: Peatlands store a massive amount of carbon, acting as a natural buffer against climate change. They hold more carbon than all the world’s forests combined.
- They contain up to one-third of the world’s soil carbon, which is twice the amount of carbon as found in the world’s forests
- Climate Regulation: By sequestering atmospheric carbon, peatlands help regulate the climate and provide a cooling effect.
- Water Management: These wetland ecosystems play a crucial role in regulating and purifying water supplies, supporting both human consumption and healthy aquatic ecosystems.
- Biodiversity: Peatlands provide vital habitats for a wide variety of rare and endangered plant and animal species.
- Cultural Importance: Peatlands can preserve archaeological and cultural heritage due to their waterlogged conditions.
- Livelihoods: Local communities often depend on the ecosystem services and resources provided by peatlands.
Factors responsible for peatland degradation
- Agriculture: Practices like drainage and conversion of peatlands for agricultural use contribute to their degradation.
- Peat Extraction: The extraction of peat for fuel and other uses directly destroys peatlands.
- Industrial Activities: Industrial activities like mining and oil and gas exploration can disrupt peatland ecosystems.
- Infrastructure Development: Development projects like road construction can disrupt the natural hydrology of peatlands, leading to drying and degradation.
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Mapping Peatlands
- Peatland mapping identifies the location and condition of peatlands.
- Combined with conservation and restoration efforts, it supports water regulation services, such as reducing flood intensities, while also preserving biodiversity.
Mapping Methodologies
- Ground-Based Surveys: Direct field observations and soil sampling.
- Remote Sensing: Satellite imagery and aerial photography.
- SEPAL Platform: System for Earth Observation Data Access, Processing and Analysis for Land Monitoring (SEPAL) platform contains a number of tools for land use and land use change monitoring. It also includes peatland-specific modules.
- It offers free access to cloud-based monitoring platforms and high-quality imagery.
- Satellite-Based Monitoring: Using satellite data to track changes in vegetation, water levels, and land use.
- Ground-Based Monitoring: Field surveys to measure peat depth, water table levels, and vegetation cover.
Impact of Peatland Degradation on Ecology
- Emissions: Degraded peatlands become significant sources of greenhouse gas emissions, accelerating climate change.
- Water Disruption: Degradation disrupts the role of peatlands in water management, leading to increased flooding risks and potential water scarcity.
- Biodiversity Loss: Habitat destruction and altered ecosystems threaten the survival of unique plant and animal life found in peatlands.
Legal and Policy Framework for Peatland Protection
- Global Initiatives:
- Ramsar Convention: This international treaty recognizes the importance of wetlands, including peatlands, and promotes their conservation and wise use.
- UNFCCC: The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change acknowledges the role of peatlands in carbon sequestration and climate mitigation.
- Global Peat land Initiative: Established at the 2016 UNFCCC COP in Marrakech, Morocco, the UNEP Global Peatlands Initiative works towards the conservation and sustainable management of peatlands worldwide.
- National and Regional Policies:
- Country-Specific Legislation: Many countries have national laws and regulations to protect peatlands.
- The IUCN UK Peatland Programme exists to promote peatland restoration in the UK and advocates the multiple benefits of peatlands.
- Regional Initiatives: Regional organizations like the European Union have implemented policies to conserve peatlands.
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Way Forward
- Policy and Action: The Global Peatland Hotspot Atlas is a call to action for policymakers and stakeholders to prioritize peatland conservation and sustainable management through informed decisions.
- Global Initiatives: Existing initiatives like the Guidelines for Global Action on Peatlands (2002), UNEA-4 Resolution on Peatland Conservation (2019), and the UNEP Global Peatlands Initiative demonstrate ongoing efforts towards peatland protection.
- Sustainable Practices: Minimizing activities like agriculture, peat extraction, and unsustainable development in peatland areas is crucial to prevent further degradation.
- Restoration Efforts: Investing in peatland restoration projects offers significant benefits for carbon sequestration, improved water management, and biodiversity conservation.
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