Peatlands are terrestrial wetland ecosystems in which waterlogged conditions prevent plant material from fully decomposing. Consequently, the production of organic matter exceeds its decomposition, which results in a net accumulation of peat.

Peatlands are the largest natural carbon store on land. Covering around 3 million km 2 globally, they sequester 0.37 gigatons (Gt) of carbon dioxide (CO 2) a year. Peat soils store over 600 Gt of carbon, more than the carbon stored in all other vegetation types, including forests.

Peat is an accumulation of partially decayed vegetation or organic matter. It is unique to natural areas called peatlands, bogs, mires, moors, or muskegs. [1][2] Sphagnum moss, also called peat moss, is one of the most common components in peat, although many other plants can contribute.

Nov 4, 2023 · Peatlands or mires are terrestrial wetland ecosystems characterised by deep, layered depositions of peat. Peat is a result of incomplete or partial decomposition of organic matter as water-logged conditions prevent organic matter from decomposing completely.

According to Xu et al. (2018), the majority of the worlds peatlands are situated in Asia (38.4%) and North America (31.6%, mostly Canada & Alaska). European peatlands make up 12.5%, followed by South America (11.5%), Africa (4.4%), and Australasia and Oceania (1.6%).

Peatlands are a type of wetland which are critical for preventing and mitigating the effects of climate change, preserving biodiversity, minimising flood risk, and ensuring safe drinking water. Peatlands are the largest natural terrestrial carbon store. They store more carbon than all other vegetation types in the world combined.

Peat is partially decayed plant material that accumulates under water-logged conditions over long time periods. Natural areas covered by peat are called peatlands. Terms commonly used for specific peatland types are peat swamp forests, fens, bogs or mires.

Peatlands are a source of life for plants, animals and people. They provide food, clean water and other benefits to nearby communities, and are an essential resource for livelihoods. They are also home to many of the world’s threatened species, such as orangutans, rhinoceroses and leopards.

Oct 8, 2024 · Peatlands cover about 3% of our planet and include habitats like moors, bogs, mires, peat swamp forests and permafrost tundra. They are found across the globe with Southeast Asia, the Congo Basin, and the Pantanal having some of the largest peatlands.

Jan 27, 2025 · Peatlands are spongy, waterlogged soils composed in part of decaying plant matter. They’re found all around the world, and despite covering only 3% of Earth’s surface, …