BG2.15/SSS6.14 Peatlands and the Carbon Cycle (co-organized)

Convener: Gareth Clay  | Co-Conveners: Fred Worrall , Stephan Glatzel

Orals  / Wed, 20 Apr, 08:30–10:15  / Room M1 Posters  / Attendance Wed, 20 Apr, 17:30–19:00  / Foyer N

Peatlands are distributed across the globe from the Northern boreal peatlands, to tropical peats through to Southern peatlands. The world’s peatlands are its most important terrestrial carbon store and since the Last Glacial Maximum have accumulated approximately 600 GtC, making this ecosystem not only a substantial store but also a large potential sink of atmospheric carbon.

Therefore, it is vital that we understand: the present condition of the carbon in our peatlands; the future of this carbon store given the range of climatic and management pressures; what could be done to preserve this carbon bank and enhance its carbon storage.

The session encourages submissions from all aspects of research dealing with peatlands and carbon biogeochemistry. By bringing together scientists working across a variety of areas we hope for lively discussion in order to share new and novel ideas to understand the present state and prognosis of carbon in peatlands.