Sustainability goals: live-giving moisture Peatland Atlas 2023 Peatlands and other types of wetlands foster biodiversity and protect humans and nature from drought and flooding. But they are some of the most threatened ecosystems on the planet. Current efforts to conserve them have so far proven inadequate. By Inka Dewitz and Dianna Kopansky
Peatland destruction: help needed Peatland Atlas 2023 Huge areas of peatland around the world have already been destroyed. In the tropics, peat swamp forests are being cut down and the land drained. Fires and climate crisis also pose threats. Attempts to protect the peatlands have so far had little success. By Heike Holdinghausen
Peatlands around the world: under threat almost everywhere Peatland Atlas 2023 Peatlands exist in the mountains, in lowlands, along rivers and at the coast. Their vegetation and condition vary from one climate zone to another, but all types of peatland have one thing in common: their continued existence is in danger. By Dr. Alexandra Barthelmes
What are mires and peatlands? A very special ecosystem Peatland Atlas 2023 Mires are intact peatlands and home to rare plants, rare animals – and enormous amounts of carbon. But draining them for economic reasons puts them and their resident organisms at massive risk. It poses a massive threat to the climate too. By Greta Gaudig and Dr. Franziska Tanneberger
12 brief lessons about peatlands Peatland Atlas 2023 Peatlands form in places where the ground is constantly wet. They are rich in species and can store carbon to help protect the climate.
Peatland Atlas 2023: Foreword Peatland Atlas 2023 Peatlands are a mixture of elements: they are both water and land at the same time. They form where the soil is wet all year round. Waterlogging prevents dead plant material from decomposing, creating their characteristic organic soils over thousands of years. And peatlands can be found all over the world, from the Arctic to Europe and the tropics, all the way to Tierra del Fuego at the tip of South America. They are impressive ecosystems, rich in rare animal and plant species. Their peat soils store enormous amounts of carbon, so they play a decisive role in climate protection – as long as they stay wet. By Dr. Imme Scholz , Antje von Broock , Jan Peters and Dianna Kopansky
Peatlands in the Congo Basin: Climate guardians under threat Peatland Atlas 2023 The peatlands of Africa's Cuvette Centrale in the Congo Basin store more carbon than the rainforest that overhangs it. But peat is only valuable as a carbon store if it remains water-saturated and untouched in the soil. What has kept the peat locked up until now is the lack of roads and other infrastructure. Irene Wabiwa Betoko, International Project Leader, Congo Basin Forest of Greenpeace Africa, talks about the threats facing peatlands in the Congo Basin and discusses ways to protect them. By Inka Dewitz and Irene Wabiwa Betoko
Peatland Atlas 2023 Atlas The Peatland Atlas 2023 highlights the consequences of the destruction of these unique habitats, but also the potential of wet peatlands for mitigating climate change. Download Please select a file format. pdf epub mobi