Peatland restoration for greenhouse gas emission reduction and carbon sequestration in the Baltic Sea region

Introduction

Aim of the LIFE PeatCarbon project is the implementation of Climate Change Mitigation (CCM) measures in peatlands, adaptation, and demonstration of innovative tools and applicable methods for GHG monitoring. The aim will be reached by improving knowledge and enhancing the capacity for applying the CCM measures, demonstration of approaches for the climate-smart management of degraded peatlands, and monitoring of the success of the implementation in The Baltic Sea region. This will contribute to the EU commitments under The Paris Agreement and provide transferable and replicable tools for elaboration and implementation.

Main Results

1. The area where positive effects from CCM measures actions in the 4 project restoration sites will reach 5414 ha (5076 ha in Latvia and 338 ha in Finland).
2. The reduced amount of CO2 emissions will comprise 37117 tons CO2 eq. yr⁻¹ in Latvia and 3500 tons CO2 eq. yr⁻¹ in Finland.
3. Peatland restoration success of the earlier LIFE projects will be monitored in 3 sites in Latvia with a total area of 5213 ha by applying field measurement, remote sensing (RS), habitat, hydrology, and GHG monitoring to follow the effect of peatland restoration.
4. A replicable and transferable simulation model for cost-effective monitoring and estimation of project actions of GHG emissions will be applied.
5. Modelling tools will be developed for cost-effective monitoring and estimation of projections of GHG emissions from peatlands.
6. An internationally applicable Best Practice Book on implementation and monitoring CCM measures, harmonized GHG measurement and data processing methods, and an ecosystem model for degraded peatlands in the Baltic Sea region will be prepared.
7. Results will be applicable for national GHG inventories in the Baltic Sea region countries.
8. Increased awareness of authorities, decision-makers, local people, and experts regarding the assessment of climate impact on peatlands before and after rewetting.