Peatlands are vital ecosystems that play role in carbon storage. They cover only 3 per cent of the Earth’s surface yet contain approximately 600 billion tonnes of carbon. This amount exceeds the total carbon stored in all global forest biomass combined. Despite their importance, recent studies reveal that peatlands are severely underprotected. Only 17 per cent of these areas are safeguarded worldwide, with even lower protection rates in boreal regions.
Importance of Peatlands
Peatlands are essential for climate regulation. They act as carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This function is crucial for mitigating climate change. They also support biodiversity and provide habitat for various species. Furthermore, peatlands play a role in water regulation and flood prevention.
Current Protection Status
Globally, only 17 per cent of peatlands are protected. This figure contrasts sharply with other ecosystems. For instance, 42 per cent of mangroves and 50 per cent of saltmarshes are under protection. Boreal peatlands are particularly at risk, with only 11 per cent protected. In comparison, tropical and temperate peatlands have slightly better protection rates at 27 per cent.
Indigenous Peoples and Peatland Management
A portion of the world’s peatlands, about 27 per cent, is located on indigenous peoples’ lands. These communities have historically managed and protected these ecosystems. However, over 85 per cent of these peatlands are not part of any formal protected areas. Recognising indigenous rights and management practices can enhance peatland conservation efforts.
Threats to Peatlands
Peatlands face numerous threats, including drainage and degradation from agriculture, forestry, and mining. Commercial activities, such as peat extraction for fuel and horticulture, further exacerbate these issues. Climate change also poses risk, affecting the health and functionality of peatland ecosystems.
Opportunities for Protection and Management
There is a pressing need to increase the protection of peatlands. This can be achieved by strengthening local governance and management institutions. Supporting indigenous-led conservation initiatives is crucial. Expanding the recognition of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas can enhance peatland stewardship. Additionally, international agreements like the Paris Agreement and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework can provide frameworks and funding for peatland conservation. Effective implementation of these agreements can catalyse necessary actions to safeguard peatlands.
Key Countries with Peatlands
The majority of the world’s peatlands are concentrated in ten countries – Canada, Russia, Indonesia, the United States, Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, China, Peru, Finland, and the Republic of the Congo. Together, these nations hold 80 per cent of global peatland areas. The first five alone contain 70 per cent of this total.
Conservation Challenges
Despite the recognition of their importance, peatlands often lack strong legal protections. Many Ramsar sites, designated for wetland protection, do not have effective management plans or government commitment. This lack of support undermines conservation efforts and marks the need for stronger governance frameworks.
Questions for UPSC:
- Examine the role of peatlands in global carbon storage and climate regulation.
- What are the main threats to peatlands? Discuss their impact on biodiversity and climate change.
- Critically discuss the significance of indigenous stewardship in peatland management and conservation.
- Analyse the effectiveness of international agreements in promoting peatland conservation. Provide suitable examples.
Answer Hints:
1. Examine the role of peatlands in global carbon storage and climate regulation.
- Peatlands cover only 3% of the Earth’s surface but store 600 billion tonnes of carbon.
- This carbon storage surpasses that of all global forest biomass combined, making peatlands critical for climate regulation.
- They act as carbon sinks, absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere, which helps mitigate climate change.
- Peatlands also support biodiversity, providing habitats for various species, and play a role in water regulation.
- Protecting peatlands is essential for achieving global climate goals and maintaining ecological balance.
2. What are the main threats to peatlands? Discuss their impact on biodiversity and climate change.
- Peatlands face threats from extensive drainage and degradation due to agriculture, forestry, and mining activities.
- Commercial peat extraction for fuel and horticulture further exacerbates habitat loss and ecosystem degradation.
- These activities lead to the release of stored carbon, contributing to climate change and global warming.
- Loss of peatland habitats negatively impacts biodiversity, threatening species that rely on these ecosystems.
- Climate change itself poses a risk, altering peatland functionality and exacerbating existing threats.
3. Critically discuss the significance of indigenous stewardship in peatland management and conservation.
- Indigenous peoples manage approximately 27% of the world’s peatlands, demonstrating effective stewardship practices.
- Over 85% of these peatlands are not included in formal protected areas, indicating a gap in conservation efforts.
- Indigenous management practices can enhance biodiversity conservation and sustainable land use in peatland areas.
- Recognizing indigenous rights and integrating their knowledge into conservation strategies is crucial for peatland protection.
- Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas represent opportunity for effective peatland stewardship.
4. Analyse the effectiveness of international agreements in promoting peatland conservation. Provide suitable examples.
- International agreements like the Paris Agreement and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework aim to enhance conservation efforts.
- These frameworks encourage countries to include peatland conservation in their Nationally Determined Contributions.
- Ramsar Convention sites, although designated for wetland protection, often lack strong management plans and government commitment.
- Successful examples include initiatives that integrate peatland conservation into national biodiversity strategies.
- Effective implementation of these agreements can catalyze funding and actions necessary for peatland protection.
