Germany Launches Nationwide Peatland Monitoring Network to Combat Climate Change
Germany has launched a nationwide monitoring network to protect its peatlands and combat climate change. Spanning 155 sites, the system covers various land uses and peat soil types, offering long-term insights into peatland conditions.
Germany's peatlands, primarily located in the north and southeast, total around 1.93 million hectares. The new network comprises 118 open land areas and 37 forested sites, representing key land uses like arable farming, grassland, and forestry. It also accounts for rewetted peatlands, a newer land-use practice.
Drained peatlands continuously degrade, releasing climate-damaging greenhouse gases. Wet peatlands, however, store vast amounts of organic carbon, acting as crucial sinks for carbon dioxide. The monitoring system tracks carbon stocks and terrain elevations, providing data for evaluating greenhouse gas reduction strategies. Currently, 92% of Germany's peatlands have been drained, emitting 53 million tons of CO₂ equivalents annually.
The nationwide monitoring network will enable long-term assessment of peatland conditions, supporting climate protection efforts. By tracking carbon stocks and terrain elevations, it offers valuable data for developing strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from drained peatlands.
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