Hope resides in these ancient plants
Norway faces a significant challenge: an estimated 5.55 million tons of annual carbon emissions are emitted from degraded peatlands.
Much of this damage results from infrastructure development, including cabin construction, wind turbine installations, and expansive road projects.
"The climate crisis and the loss of biodiversity make it critical to better manage Norway's peatlands. These are among the most valuable ecosystems on Earth," says Knut Rydgren, a professor of ecology at the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences who specializes in peatland research.
Norway is home to Europe’s richest variety of Sphagnum moss, with around 50 species.
Built up over thousands of years, peatlands are composed of partly decomposed mosses that binds carbon in their plant structures. In cold, acid, wet, and low-oxygen environment, they preserve the carbon for as long as humans permit.
Peatlands are right there, naturally thriving just beyond our living rooms and cabin doors.
They are teeming with animal and plant species that we can't afford to lose.
Unfortunately, we’ve damaged countless peatlands around the world.
The consequence is that these degraded peatlands now emit greenhouse gases on a scale that matches or even surpasses major climate offenders like aviation.
Professor Rydgren notes that while peatlands have been studied in Norway for many years, a crucial element has been missing.
"We need effective methods to measure the size and depth of mires. This will enable us to manage, preserve, and restore our peatlands in the best possible way," says Rydgren.
In his work on peatland restoration, Rydgren studies how and how quickly the vegetation changes over time.
In this way, we can determine whether the restoration work is progressing as planned and how long it will take before the area is fully restored.
Rydgren urges us to rethink our approach to peatlands, emphasizing the need for a new land-use policy.
"It's puzzling that, for years, that for so long we’ve focused on protecting rainforests while overlooking peatlands. Peatland conservation should be a cornerstone of the government's climate policy," he says.
Through the REPEAT research project, Rydgren collaborates with several researchers, students, and authorities to learn more about sustainable management of peatlands.
The goal is to create tools for sustainable planning and management that take into account both human needs and environmental boundaries, now and in the future.
Fortunately, it is not too late to save these vital ecosystems.
By taking care of the peatlands and repairing those that are damaged, we can maintain their unique ability to capture carbon and retain water.
– Intact peat bogs are nature-based climate solutions of the best kind. Ready-made and entirely free, says Rydgren.
Learn more
Repeat – REthinking sustainable land use of PEATlands
Written by Mari-Louise Uldbæk Stephan
Photos: Ingvild Festervoll Melien/Knut Rydgren/Shutterstock