Premium
Tropical peatlands: current plight and the need for responsible management
Author(s) -
Green Sophie M.,
Page Susan
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
geology today
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.188
H-Index - 17
eISSN - 1365-2451
pISSN - 0266-6979
DOI - 10.1111/gto.12197
Subject(s) - peat , greenhouse gas , carbon dioxide , environmental science , atmosphere (unit) , earth science , carbon fibers , physical geography , geology , ecology , geography , oceanography , meteorology , biology , materials science , composite number , composite material
Peatlands are important carbon stores, but when drained (e.g. for agriculture), this carbon is released to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide (CO 2 , a greenhouse gas). Globally, at least 15% of peatlands have been drained, mostly in Europe and South‐east Asia, and are responsible for 5% of human‐derived CO 2 emissions. Peatlands have been exploited for generations, but not without local to global consequences, particularly in South‐East Asia. However, recognition of the continuous environmental toll caused by peatland exploitation is leading to a need to change attitudes and practices, in order to propel a move towards a more balanced and responsible use of peat in both northern and tropical peatlands.