Mismatch Between Global Importance of Peatlands and the Extent of Their Protection
Kemen Austin, Paul R. Elsen, Eurídice N. Honorio Coronado, Alfred DeGemmis, Angela Gallego‐Sala, Lorna I. Harris, Heidi E. Kretser, Joe R. Melton, Daniel Murdiyarso, Sigit D. Sasmito, Erin Swails, Arief Wijaya, R. Scott Winton, Daniel J. Zarin
Abstract
ABSTRACT Global peatlands store more carbon than all the world's forests biomass on just 3% of the planet's land surface. Failure to address mounting threats to peatland ecosystems will jeopardize critical climate targets and exacerbate biodiversity loss. Our analysis reveals that 17% of peatlands are protected globally—substantially less than many other high‐value ecosystems. Just 11% percent of boreal and 27% of temperate and tropical peatlands are protected, while Indigenous peoples' lands encompass at least another one‐quarter of peatlands globally. Peatlands in protected areas and Indigenous peoples' lands generally face lower human pressure than outside those areas. Yet, almost half of temperate and tropical peatlands in protected areas still experience medium to high human pressure. Country submissions of Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement and National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans under the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework could help catalyze actions and secure funding for peatland conservation, including support for the Indigenous stewardship that is critical to protect many of the world's highest priority peatland areas.