Restoring unproductive drained mountain peatland with high biodiversity values

Challenges: Fragmented high mountain peat bogs (majority < 5ha) in the Pyrenees at the southern limit of their distribution are considered relict ecosystems, having accumulated organic matter since the last glaciation. For millennia, they have maintained carbon sinks, providing water resources and habitats for many species, but are vulnerable to climate change and overgrazing. Degradation due to drying is expected, affecting ability to store carbon, regulate water quantity/quality, and preserve biodiversity, causing ecosystem loss and increased green house effects.

Solutions: The patchiness of mountain peatlands requires a high-resolution volumetric mapping of peat stores to estimate carbon sinks.

Outcomes: Knowledge on carbon cycle and stock, greenhouse gases, and fluvial carbon export from mountain peatlands under different ranges of anthropogenic pressure.