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Scott Winton, an Assistant Professor in Environmental Studies at UC Santa Cruz, has spent nearly a decade exploring the depths of tropical wetlands. His dedication as a wetland ecologist and biogeochemist centers around one fascinating subject: peatlands.
Peatlands are a unique form of wetland that play a critical role in our global climate strategy. They hold the potential to either mitigate or exacerbate climate change, making their preservation vital. However, understanding the extent and location of these ecosystems remains a significant challenge.
In his recent study published in the journal Environmental Research Letters, Winton and his team have created the first comprehensive data-driven map highlighting both newly identified and predicted peatland areas in Colombia’s eastern lowlands. The research also involved collaborations from institutions such as ETH Zurich, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, and Stanford University, with Winton as the lead author and senior author Alison Hoyt from Stanford University.
The findings reveal that the eastern lowlands of Colombia may be home to between 7,370 and 36,200 square kilometers of peatlands. Safeguarding these ecosystems could significantly aid Colombia in reducing carbon emissions in line with international climate targets.
Carbon emissions, primarily from burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas, contribute to atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, which act as a blanket trapping heat and driving climate change. While reducing fossil fuel consumption is crucial, preserving ecosystems that naturally sequester carbon is equally essential. Peatlands are among these vital carbon sinks.
Due to their consistently saturated soils, peatlands limit oxygen availability for decomposers, which causes the decomposition of plant matter to slow down. Typically, plants capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, integrating it into their structure. Upon dying, decomposing organisms will release this carbon back into the atmosphere, but in peatlands, the process halts, resulting in the accumulation of carbon-rich organic matter.
Winton’s research indicates that the carbon density in Colombian peatlands may be four to ten times greater than that found in the Amazon rainforest, aligning with findings from other global studies about peatland carbon sequestration.
“Peatlands only cover about 3% of the Earth’s land surface but are more effective at carbon storage than all the world’s trees combined,” Winton pointed out. “When we consider nature’s ability to absorb excess atmospheric carbon, we often overlook the significant role of peatlands.”
This indicates that peatlands serve as crucial allies in moderating the effects of greenhouse gas emissions. However, their capacity to store carbon is contingent upon their moist condition. When drained for agricultural or developmental purposes, the decomposition process resumes, releasing significant carbon reserves back into the atmosphere. Additionally, dry peatlands are at risk of wildfires, which can quickly release stored carbon.
Tragically, this risk is already evident in various regions around the world.
“In Southeast Asia, extensive peatland drainage for agriculture has led to severe issues, including soil subsidence and catastrophic wildfires that contribute significantly to carbon emissions,” noted Winton. “For instance, Indonesia’s emissions disproportionately high in relation to its GDP can be traced back to such land conversions. Once peatlands are compromised, it can take up to 1,000 years for the carbon in the soil to recover, underscoring the urgent need for proactive conservation efforts.”
One of the notable obstacles to peatland conservation is the difficulty in distinguishing them visually from other wetlands. Identifying peat requires systematic investigation, but many regions remain understudied. Colombia, for instance, faced five decades of civil conflict that hindered ecological research, but peace has opened the door for scientific exploration. Despite this progress, environmental deterioration continues at a rapid pace, creating a race against time to locate and protect existing peatlands.
To identify Colombia’s peatlands and mitigate their deterioration, Winton and his colleagues undertook an extensive research project, beginning with regions marked on a global wetland prediction map. Engaging with local communities, they gathered insights about vegetation associated with peatlands and utilized satellite imagery to pinpoint potential research sites. The endeavor spanned three years and presented many challenges, but ultimately proved fruitful.
“We explored numerous wetlands without success initially and had to navigate various difficulties before honing in on our target,” Winton explained. “I recall a moment when we were swimming through deep waters in a swamp and, upon diving down, laid my hands on the first signs of peat. That realization marked a turning point for our mission.”
Ultimately, the team discovered peat soils at 51 out of over 100 wetland sites. At each peat discovery location, they meticulously collected soil samples while tracking water conditions and local plant communities. They identified two distinct types of peatlands in Colombia—palm swamps and white-sand peatlands—both possessing forested and open variations. Notably, they documented white-sand peatlands for the first time in South America, characterized by sparse, stunted trees thriving in thick peat overlying white sand.
The research led to a refined predictive model, suggesting the existence of additional peatlands within Colombia’s lowlands. Soil sample analysis provided insights into carbon content, enabling the team to estimate that these peatlands are sequestering carbon equivalent to 70 years of Colombia’s fossil fuel and industrial emissions.
Winton hopes this enhanced understanding of peatland ecosystems and their geographical insights will empower local scientists and Colombian authorities in the ongoing quest to identify and protect these vital resources.
“There remain countless areas in Colombia and globally where significant peatlands lie undiscovered, which could overturn existing assumptions,” Winton stated. “We urgently need further research across tropical regions to accurately map and prioritize peatland conservation, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of these ecosystems.”
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