The most powerful natural resource against the climatic crisis but, at the same time, the most neglected.
The peatings are among the most precious ecosystems on the planet. Despite they only cover 3% of the earth’s surface, they store 600 billion tons of carbon, more than the biomass of all the forests of the world put together. However, their protection is inadequate: Only 17% fall into a protected area. The remaining part is instead the victim of degradation and destruction.
Intensive agriculture, mining extraction and the construction of infrastructures are in fact drying up these wetlands, characterized by an accumulation of partially decomposed organic matter. With what result? The release of enormous quantities of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
To date, almost a quarter of the global peatings is subjected to strong anthropic pressures, and their degradation It contributes every year with 1.5-2.5 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions, equal to 2-4% of all global anthropogenic emissions.
Inadequate protection compared to other ecosystems
A study published in the magazine Conservation Letters, MISMATCH BETWEEN GLOBAL IMPORTANCE OF Peatlands and The Extent of Their Protectionoffers the first global assessment of the state of storage of the tobles. The research reveals that other vulnerable ecosystems receive significantly greater protection: The mangroves are 42% protected, the 50% saline and the tropical forests at 38%.
The situation is particularly critical in countries with the greater extending of Torbiere: Russia (1,272,029 surface km2 km), Canada (1,127,849 km2), Indonesia (191,347 km2), the United States (165.124 km2) and Brazil (107.404 km2), which together host 70% of global peatings. Although some nations have implemented specific strategies – such as Indonesia and the United Kingdom – Most governments lack concrete plans for their protection.
Because the peatings are crucial for the planet
In addition to being extraordinary carbon tanks, the tobles are fundamental for the adjustment of the water cycle. They retain 10% of the unsched -fried fresh water in the worldreducing the risk of floods and keeping underground water reserves stable.
Furthermore, they are biodiversity hotspot. They host mosses, flower plants, spiders, heather and different species of orchids, birds, fish, unique insects, often threatened by the destruction of their habitat but also mammals, such as the otter and European mink. However, the remote position and the difficulty of accessing these transition ecosystems between the aquatic environments and the terrestrial environments have led long to consider them as unproductive lands, delaying adequate protection measures.
The role of indigenous populations in safeguarding the tobles
One of the most relevant aspects of the study is the discovery that 27% of global peatings are located on territories belonging to indigenous populations. These communities have shown that they are effective custodians of these delicate ecosystemspreserving them for centuries thanks to sustainable practices. However, 85% of the peatings located in indigenous territories are not included in other forms of official protection.
“We can improve the conservation of the peatings by strengthening the territorial rights of indigenous populations, a fundamental step for the protection of these ecosystems,” he says Paul ElsenPh.D., co -author of the study.
The peatings and the climatic crisis: an opportunity not to be waste
According to experts, the conservation and restoration of the remaining peatings they are essential to limit global warming to 1.5 ° C by the end of the century. Despite this, their role in national climatic plans is still marginal. “Torbiere offer a huge opportunity to face the climatic crisis,” he says Kemen Austinthe main author of the study and scientific director of the Wildlife Conservation Society. “Our research reveals that these vital ecosystems do not even remotely have the level of protection they need (…) if we now act to protect them, we can get huge benefits at a relatively low cost”.
2025 represents a crucial year for their safeguard: the countries will have to update their climatic plans. And we will find out if more incisive protection measures will finally be included to protect these fragile and important ecosystems.
