Articles tagged with Peat
Most of the carbon released during Canada’s record 2023 wildfire season came from burning soil and peat. Underground carbon stores accounted for 76 per cent of wildfire emissions. The findings highlight the vulnerability of Canada’s soil carbon stores to intensifying wildfires.
A Danish study reveals that financial compensation alone is insufficient to persuade landowners to restore low-lying soils as wetlands. The decision-making process is influenced by factors such as responsibility, professional pride, and attachment to the land, highlighting a mismatch between policy design and farmers' actual thoughts.
A new study reveals a dramatic increase in wildfires in tropical peatlands during the 20th century, releasing large amounts of stored carbon into the atmosphere. Human activities, such as agriculture and deforestation, are identified as the root cause of this surge.
Cerrado wetlands in Brazil's savannas are carbon storage powerhouses, storing an estimated 20% of Amazon's carbon. The peaty soils of these wetlands store about 1,200 metric tons of carbon per hectare, equivalent to six times the average carbon density of Amazon rainforest soils.
Research reveals that during historic periods of drying, woody plant growth improved organic matter quality and suppressed microbial activity, safeguarding carbon stores. This plant-microbe cooperation helped protect peatland ecosystems under warmer drier conditions.
A recent study published in PLOS One found that European peatlands require warm temperatures and a specific water table depth to accumulate plant matter and store carbon. The study suggests that maintaining a water table around 10 centimeters below the surface is key to allowing peat to grow quickly and store carbon over the long term.
Research finds Arctic peatlands expanding due to warming climate, with 16 sites showing strong evidence of expansion. Peatlands store about 600 billion tons of carbon, and their expansion could slow climate change but also poses risks if temperatures continue to rise.
Researchers have mapped Colombia's eastern lowlands to identify areas of peatlands, a crucial carbon storage system that can help reduce the country's emissions. The study found an estimated 7,370-36,200 square kilometers of peatlands, with potential to store more carbon than all the world's trees.
Researchers developed a predictive model showing peat bogs can offset 14% of future CO2 emissions through microalgae's photosynthesis. Peatlands store over 30% of the Earth's soil carbon, estimated to be between 500-1000 gigatons.
A new study reveals that UK peatland fires are responsible for up to 90% of annual fire-driven carbon emissions, with emissions set to rise by at least 60% if the planet warms by 2°C. Researchers found that rewetting peatlands can help reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate change.
The UK's peatlands are critical ecosystems for carbon storage and biodiversity, but climate change threatens their viability. Western Scotland emerges as a priority area for conservation, while England's peatlands, including Dartmoor and the Peak District, may lose their suitability.
Climate scientists from Utrecht University and the University of Manchester conclude that massive volcanic eruptions had little to no effect on dinosaur mass extinction. The team reconstructed air temperatures for the time period covering both volcanic eruptions and the meteorite impact, showing that temperatures had already stabilized...
Researchers identified five fungi species with toxic effects against the bacterium, which disrupts cellular levels of thiols essential for bacterial survival. The findings support a strategy for developing treatment-shortening drugs by targeting biological processes maintaining thiol levels.
A recent study by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology found that growing maize to produce biomethane on drained peat emits up to three times more carbon dioxide than using natural gas. The production of crops like maize for bioenergy has rapidly increased, leading to a significant expansion of cultivated areas on drained peatlands.
Researchers found that fish species on Trinidad Island adapt their egg-laying habits in response to predators, showing evolutionary plasticity. The study provides new insights into how aquatic organisms adapt to environmental changes, including those caused by climate change.
Researchers at SMART and NTU Singapore have developed a method to accurately measure the amount of carbon stored in bogs, which aids peatland restoration efforts. The new method uses satellite data and reduces the need for on-site sampling, making it possible to describe and compare the shape of bogs worldwide.
A new study finds that canals draining Southeast Asia's threatened peatlands release up to 35% of the organic carbon dissolved into these canals as carbon dioxide. This suggests that canal systems are a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, potentially surpassing previously estimated amounts from dried-out peat soils.
Vittrup Man's genetic signature was distinct from local skeletons, suggesting a non-Scandinavian origin. His tooth enamel isotopes revealed a shift from coastal to farm food in late teens, indicating a transition to farming society in Denmark.
Researchers found that peat exposed to mild drought still absorbs some carbon, but extreme drought causes it to release carbon. Increasing biodiversity in peatlands does little to combat drought, contrary to previous assumptions.
A new study has found that northern peatlands have accelerated in expansion over the past 1,500 years, with an average growth rate of approximately one centimeter per year. This increase in peatland area is significant for carbon sequestration and storing ecosystems.
Re-wetting southern peatlands along the US south Atlantic coast could significantly boost carbon storage and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A new Duke University study reveals that maintaining water levels between 20-30 cm below the local water table can increase CO2 storage by up to 90%.
Researchers found that cultivating reed grass on undrained peat soil or wet meadows can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional potato crop rotation. This approach also offers potential economic benefits and can help restore the original ecosystem with high biodiversity.
Climate change is expected to impact northern peatlands, a key carbon storage ecosystem. A recent study found that rising temperatures and increased carbon dioxide levels can disrupt the delicate balance between nitrogen fixation and methane oxidation, leading to unpredictable outcomes.
The Congo Basin's largest tropical peatland is a critical carbon sink, but it's near a tipping point due to climate change. Scientists have discovered that the peat formed under drier conditions than other tropical swamps, making it vulnerable to transformation into a carbon source.
The Congo peatlands, the world's largest tropical peatland complex, are fragile and vulnerable to drought. If modern-day global heating produces droughts in the region, they could release up to 30 billion tonnes of carbon, accelerating climate change.
Researchers have discovered that Mexican mangrove forests have been absorbing and storing carbon for an impressive 5,000 years. The study found that these unique ecosystems are capable of retaining large amounts of carbon due to the presence of certain microorganisms.
Researchers have discovered 'proto-peat', a thin layer of organic matter containing high levels of carbon, in the Arctic. This finding suggests new carbon sinks may be forming as the region warms up.
A new study reveals that innovative restoration practices can replicate natural landscape-building processes in wetlands, enhancing their carbon-storing potential. Successful restorations require dense plant clumps or large areas restored in one go to mimic the plants' landscape-forming properties.
A remote Irish community endured a millennium of climate change and ecological shifts without significant disruption, thanks to its adaptable social practices. The study, published in PLOS ONE, analyzed peat core data to infer environmental and human occupation changes over 1,000 years.
Researchers analyzed two peat cores to discover that higher concentrations of charcoal occurred between 9,000 to 4,000 years ago due to larger forest fires. Mangrove pollen found in the earlier period indicates rising sea levels and increased salt, contributing to dry conditions suitable for massive forest fires.
A new study found that re-wetting drained peatlands can support bird diversity and sustainable oil palm farming without affecting yields. The research suggests restoring peatlands can conserve biodiversity and livelihoods for smallholder farmers in Indonesia.
Researchers found that peatland fires contributed to between 40% and 60% of the GHG emission impact, highlighting the need for better forest and peatland protection policies. The study's findings indicate a two- to threefold underestimation of the true impact of deforestation fires.
Changes in Finnish aapa mires, characterized by wet fens and peat mosses, can be detected from Landsat satellite data. The study found a significant increase in Sphagnum mosses over the past few decades, accelerated by land use and climate change.
A new study assesses the complex role of peatlands in wildfires and finds that their smouldering potential is often underestimated. The researchers warn that peat fires can be devastating and have significant feedback with climate change.
Raising water levels in agricultural peatlands can mitigate climate change by reducing CO2 emissions. Halving drainage depths could cut emissions by 1% of all global GHG emissions, equivalent to 500 million tons of CO2 annually.
Researchers at Imperial College London have developed a new fire suppressant that can kill zombie fires 40% faster than using water alone. The agent reduces surface tension and acts thermally to encapsulate the fire, bringing down temperature and removing heat from the fire triangle.
A study analyzing peat layers in Pawski Lug, Poland found that the transition from tribal to feudal living had a significant impact on the local ecosystem. The shift from small-scale forest burning to large-scale deforestation led to changes in plant composition and groundwater levels.
Scientists have simulated how soil moisture affects peat fires, finding that drying soils sustain faster and larger smouldering fires. The research aims to help manage vegetation clearing in peatlands safely.
A study led by University of Wyoming researcher Dulcinea Groff found that seabird populations in the South Atlantic are shifting their habitats due to climate change, with many species moving to new breeding grounds. The research also highlights the importance of nutrients from seabird guano for maintaining tussac grasslands.
Researchers have identified a 47,800-year-old inland peatland in Indonesia that contains an archive of environmental changes and a large carbon stock. The study provides new insights into the climate of equatorial rainforests during the last ice age, suggesting that these areas remained wet and warm enough to support peat growth.
A new study published by the University of East Anglia found that fear of enforcement and public health concerns drive behavior, outperforming financial incentives in reducing harmful peat fires. The research suggests that a combination of interventions is key to achieving fire-free outcomes in high-risk areas.
The Arctic wildfire season is changing, with widespread wildfires burning earlier and farther north. Zombie fires, where fires smolder in peat underground, are a new feature of recent Arctic fires. The consequences for the global climate could be significant, including rapid thawing of permafrost and release of greenhouse gases.
A recent study published in AGU Advances reveals that warming peatlands can lead to a rapid release of stored carbon into the atmosphere. The researchers found that even modest temperature increases can trigger significant microbial processes, resulting in faster-than-historical carbon loss rates.
Most of Southeast Asia's peatlands have been wholly or partially deforested, drained, and dried out, leading to fires and greenhouse emissions. Satellite-based study reveals widespread subsidence, posing a threat to these ecosystems as most coastal peatlands are at or just above sea level.
A Duke University study reveals that low-severity fires shield peatland soils from decay, preserving carbon and slowing down its release into the atmosphere. This 'crème brulee effect' enhances long-term carbon retention, with implications for managing peatlands and addressing climate change.
A University of Tennessee microbiologist is leading a three-year study to understand how global warming affects peatlands and their vast carbon stores. The research aims to predict the impacts of warming on the complex network of microorganisms that cycle carbon and nutrients in peatlands.
Researchers used peat core analysis to reconstruct the development of a calcareous spring fen on Saaremaa, Estonia. The study found that the high diversity of vegetation in spring fens is a result of long-term stable environments, providing insights into conservation efforts.
A new study reveals that northern peatlands store 1.1 trillion tons of carbon, more than humans have emitted to the atmosphere through fossil fuels. The findings suggest that these boggy areas play a crucial role in the carbon cycle and climate change.
A new archaeological discovery was made at the L'Anse aux Meadows site in Newfoundland, revealing a previously unknown cultural horizon dating back to between the late 12th and 13th centuries. The layer contained trampled surfaces, charcoal, and wood working debris without any culturally diagnostic artifacts.
A recent study reveals that around 17% of total organic carbon in Siberian rivers originates from thawing permafrost and peat deposits. The research found that particulate organic carbon contributed to more than half of the river's total organic content.
Researchers used over 1,000 records and a global ecosystem model to reconstruct peatland dynamics. They found peatlands expanded during warm periods and were buried during glacial expansion, providing potential long-term carbon storage.
Scientists discovered over 1,000 buried wetland sites worldwide, revealing a record of wetland presence and peat burial. These findings suggest that peat burial can slow down the transfer of carbon from the atmosphere to land, potentially offsetting climate warming.
A new study reveals that peatlands have been a significant carbon sink over the past 130,000 years, storing carbon in their deposits and potentially slowing down climate change. The research, published in PNAS, fills a key knowledge gap about the global extent of peatlands and their role in the carbon cycle.
Researchers found that prescribed burning can produce positive outcomes when carried out on a sensible rotation, including reduced fire fuel loads and increased carbon accumulation. The study used stratigraphical techniques to analyze data from long-term ecological experiments at Moor House National Nature Reserve.
Climate researchers warn that peatlands in the Peruvian Amazon may lose up to 500 million tons of carbon by the end of the century due to warmer temperatures and increased precipitation. This loss could lead to a significant increase in global carbon emissions, exacerbating climate change.
Weekly air sample analysis in Singapore revealed that peat burning was the primary source of smoke during Indonesian fires in 2015. The study suggests that around 85% of smoke reaching Singapore originated from peat, highlighting the need to protect peat from wildfires.
Researchers from UCI and Singapore find that widespread fires in Indonesia's peatlands, which are hundreds to thousands of years old, were the main source of severe air pollution in Southeast Asia. The team's analysis confirms human activities as the primary cause of these environmental catastrophes.
Researchers from Tomsk Polytechnic University discovered that straw, chips, sawdust, and peat can generate more heat than they consume during pyrolysis, a process that can be optimized for efficient energy production. This technology has the potential to make energy generation from biofuel more resource-efficient and environmentally fr...
A new study suggests that peatlands may develop a chemistry similar to tropical peats, stabilizing against further decomposition and releasing less carbon into the atmosphere. This could mitigate the potential for substantial carbon losses due to climate change.
Tropical peatlands have a natural biochemical defense mechanism that resists decay, even in warming temperatures and droughts. This mechanism is stabilized by high levels of aromatic compounds, which create a barrier protecting the peat from oxidation.