Recognising the urgent need for effective restoration measures, researchers at the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have pioneered a groundbreaking method that leverages satellite data and advanced mathematical modelling to accurately measure the carbon stored in bogs, thereby facilitating peatland restoration efforts and aiding in the fight against climate change.
Often referred to as bogs, Peatlands are among the Earth’s most valuable ecosystems, serving as natural carbon storehouses crucial for regulating the climate. However, human activities such as drainage and deforestation have severely impacted these fragile environments, leading to the release of significant amounts of carbon dioxide and making them susceptible to devastating wildfires.
Peatlands are renowned for their unparalleled capacity to sequester carbon, with raised peatlands in particular acting as reservoirs for vast amounts of carbon accumulated over thousands of years. However, the variable shape of bogs and the varying depths of their carbon-rich soil, known as peat, present significant challenges in accurately assessing their carbon storage potential.
Previous methods for measuring carbon stocks in peatlands often relied on labour-intensive onsite sampling, which was impractical for the vast and inaccessible expanses of many tropical peatlands. This innovative approach reduces the need for onsite sampling and provides valuable insights into the morphology of bogs, allowing for more accurate assessments of their carbon storage capacity and water flow patterns.
The development of this new method represents a significant breakthrough in peatland research and conservation, offering a powerful tool for policymakers, conservationists, and land managers to better understand and protect these critical ecosystems. By accurately quantifying the carbon stored in peatlands, governments can make informed decisions about land-use planning and prioritise conservation efforts to mitigate carbon emissions and prevent wildfires.
Moreover, the insights gained from this research have far-reaching implications for global climate change mitigation strategies. Peatlands cover only about three per cent of the Earth’s land surface but store more carbon per area than any other terrestrial ecosystem.
Therefore, protecting and restoring peatlands through methods such as rewetting, which involves blocking drainage channels to maintain wet conditions, is a highly effective nature-based solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preserving biodiversity.
Dr Alex Cobb, Senior Principal Research Scientist at SMART and the Lead Author of the Study emphasised the significance of the team’s findings, stating, “Peatlands have acted as huge stores of carbon since before the time of the dinosaurs. In fact, modern coal deposits started as peatlands. The finding makes it possible to describe and compare the shape of bogs anywhere, enabling us to protect and restore these vital ecosystems effectively.”
Dr René Dommain, Senior Research Fellow at NTU’s Earth Observatory of Singapore and co-author of the study underscored the practical applications of the research, stating, “We can accurately measure the amount of carbon stored in peatlands and identify areas at risk of fire or degradation due to human activities. This work lays the foundation for successful peatland restoration efforts and contributes to global climate change mitigation.”
Published in the prestigious scientific journal Nature, this groundbreaking research represents a significant step forward in the understanding of peatlands and their role in global carbon cycling.
Moving forward, the researchers plan to expand their analyses to remote peatland regions of the tropics and develop tools to estimate carbon stocks with greater precision, further advancing the ability to protect and restore these invaluable ecosystems for generations to come.
