Peatlands are impressive ecosystems. They are rich in rare animal and plant species and can store huge amounts of carbon in their peat soils. In Central Europe, well over 90 percent of moors have been drained. Even today, peatlands are still being destroyed in all parts of the world. About 4 percent of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions are attributable to drained moors. These emissions can be reduced if drained moors are rewetted—this preserves the peat and keeps the carbon bound in it. However, the wet use of large moorland areas poses many challenges for agriculture. The Peatland Atlas highlights the consequences of the destruction of these unique habitats and shows the opportunities that wet moors and their use offer society, encouraging all stakeholders to take action – “Moors must be wet!”
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