Active afforestation of drained peatlands is not a viable option under the EU Nature Restoration Law

Autor: Gerald Jurasinski, Alexandra Barthelmes, Kenneth A. Byrne, Bogdan H. Chojnicki, Jesper Riis Christiansen, Kris Decleer, Christian Fritz, Anke Beate Günther et al.
In:

Ambio

Bandangabe: 53
ISBN: 0044-7447
DOI: 10.1007/s13280-024-02016-5
Seite: 970 - 983
Jahr: 2024

Einordung:
Institut: Professur Landschaftsökologie und Standortkunde

Abstract:
Abstract The EU Nature Restoration Law (NRL) is
critical for the restoration of degraded ecosystems and
active afforestation of degraded peatlands has been
suggested as a restoration measure under the NRL. Here,
we discuss the current state of scientific evidence on the
climate mitigation effects of peatlands under forestry.
Afforestation of drained peatlands without restoring their
hydrology does not fully restore ecosystem functions.
Evidence on long-term climate benefits is lacking and it is
unclear whether CO 2 sequestration of forest on drained
peatland can offset the carbon loss from the peat over the
long-term. While afforestation may offer short-term gains
in certain cases, it compromises the sustainability of
peatland carbon storage. Thus, active afforestation of
drained peatlands is not a viable option for climate
mitigation under the EU Nature Restoration Law and
might even impede future rewetting/restoration efforts.
Instead, restoring hydrological conditions through
rewetting is crucial for effective peatland restoration

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