The first CO2 measurements by eddy covariance in natural and degraded peatlands in Latvia

Peatlands play a crucial role in carbon sequestration, covering approximately 10-15 % of Latvia’s territory, with a large proportion drained for forestry or peat extraction. Peat is currently extracted on ~0.4 % of Latvia’s territory and largely exported. Despite their relevance for national greenhouse gas (GHG) balances, continuous ecosystem-scale CO2 flux measurements are absent in Latvia. Current GHG accounting relies on chamber campaigns and emission factors, limiting monitoring, reporting, and verification for restoration and climate mitigation.

To address this gap, we initiated the first deployment of autonomous eddy covariance (EC) Carbon Node systems (LI-COR) in Latvian peatlands to measure CO2 exchange together with ancillary environmental variables. The first unit was installed in August 2025 in an active peat extraction site (cutover bog), while a second unit is devoted to a natural raised bog. The distance between sites is < 5 km, ensuring similar regional meteorological conditions and enabling better comparative assessment of land-use impacts.

We present first operational results, focusing on data continuity and system performance, including the feasibility of solar-powered operation at northern mid-latitudes, which proved challenging during the winter of 2025/2026. Preliminary CO2 flux dynamics provide early insights into emission magnitude and temporal variability at the active extraction site. This initiative represents a foundational step toward long-term EC observations in Latvia with implications for national GHG accounting and evidence-based peatland restoration policy.

The study is supported by a donation from the "Mikrotīkls", which is administered by the University of Latvia Foundation and by the project PeatTransform (No. 6.1.1.2/1/25/A/001).