Thanks to all of the co-authors for their collaboration: Quint Van Giersbergen, Franziska Tanneberger, Christian Fritz, Alexandra Barthelmes, Kristiina Lång, John Couwenberg, and Nina Martin.

(11/11)

The published hotspot map shows where swift intervention can yield the highest climate returns: https://globalpeatlands.org/peatlandbreakthrough

#WET HORIZONS #FIBSUN #PaluWise #Paludi4All #Wetlands #ALFAwetlands #Wetlands International #biodiversa #Wetscapes2.0 #peatlandsmatter

(10/11)

These findings directly support the ambitions of the #PeatlandBreakthrough presented at the #COP30 Brazil, the global initiative calling for rapid peatland protection, restoration, and sustainable management. (9/11)

By identifying where reductions can be achieved most efficiently, this study provides the evidence needed to accelerate climate-smart land-use decisions across the EU. (8/11)

total peatland area, making them priority zones for climate #mitigation.

Find out more here: 👉 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-65841-6

Rewetting remains the most effective way to stop emissions from drained peatlands. (7/11)

The high-resolution analysis identifies four clear emission hotspot regions:
• North Sea region (northwest Germany, the Netherlands, southeast England)
• Eastern Germany
• Baltic states and eastern Poland
• Ireland
These regions account for 39% of all emissions, yet contain only 17% of (6/11)

Peatlands currently used for agriculture, especially grasslands and croplands between 50-55°N, emerge as the dominant sources. In contrast, northern peatlands remain largely intact and emit far less per hectare. (5/11)

This is nearly double the 119 Mt CO₂e reported by EU member states to the #UNFCCC. The resulting underreporting gap of 59-113 Mt CO₂e annually is comparable to the entire yearly emissions of all EU air traffic. (4/11)

The results show that peatland emissions are far higher than currently reported and pinpoint exactly where rapid action can deliver the greatest #climate gains.

The study estimates that drained peatlands emit 232 ± 56 Mt CO₂e per year. (3/11)

Centrum, and the Natural Resources Institute Finland/Luonnonvarakeskus present the first high-resolution map of greenhouse gas emissions from #peatlands across the European Union. (2/11)

🔹 The new scanning approach provides an effective tool to quantify CH₄ storage and understand plant-specific effects on emissions.

💡 These findings refine our understanding of freshwater carbon cycling and improve how we estimate natural greenhouse-gas emissions.

🔹 Root biomass and growth form are key traits shaping CH₄ production, storage, and emission pathways.
🔹 Sediment gas storage represents a major but often overlooked component of freshwater methane budgets.

In this new study, the team shows how different aquatic plant types affect methane storage in sediments and its release to the atmosphere. Using a novel scanning method alongside emission measurements in a controlled experiment, they found that:

Methane (CH₄) is a potent greenhouse gas, and freshwater ecosystems are among the largest natural sources. Yet, accurately estimating these emissions remains challenging—especially in vegetated zones, where plants strongly influence CH₄ fluxes.

weekendvandewetenschap.nl/activiteiten...

En wist je dat vijvertjes ook scheten kunnen laten? Welk water laat er de meeste vliegen? Doe eerst een gok en kom dan meten! Je kunt ook je adem laten testen. Koeien ademen een sterk broeikasgas uit. Sommige mensen ook. Laat je adem testen om erachter te komen hoe dat bij jou zit!

We leiden je rond en je kunt meedoen aan proefjes. Wist je bijvoorbeeld dat schoon water niet alleen fijn is omdat we dat kunnen drinken? Er leven ook een heleboel planten en dieren in.