Irish Peatland Resilience and Presence Across National Climate Gradients

Peatlands are essential for providing crucial ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, water regulation, and biodiversity conservation. However, in Ireland, these vital ecosystems have undergone significant degradation due to practices like land use alterations, drainage, and peat extraction activities. The collective impact of these disturbances, amplified by the influence of climate change, presents a substantial threat to the resilience of Irish peatlands. Here we evaluate the impact of climate gradients on Irish Peatland Resilience at a national scale through the application of a mechanistic model. We identify critical tipping points that signify shifts between peatlands and forests and assess how these vary with climate, and how these impact ecosystem carbon stores. Through  this approach we delineated various peatland types prevalent in Ireland, such as western blanket bogs, mountain blanket bogs, and raised bogs. Furthermore, model outputs were used to derive the resilience index for these diverse peatland systems, providing an indication of their capacity to withstand environmental changes. The insights from this research offer valuable guidance to help target national peatland restoration strategies. Ultimately, this study contributes to the broader goal of sustainable peatland management and preservation amidst changing environmental conditions.