European peatlands are a major emitter of greenhouse gasses, particularly carbon dioxide and methane, contributing to climate warming. Monitoring these emissions is essential to understand their contribution to emission budgets and to design effective mitigation strategies. Greenhouse gas emissions from peatlands are currently accounted for by countries through mandatory national greenhouse gas inventory reporting. However as emission reduction targets become more ambitious and the targeted reduction deadlines approach, the need for reliable and robust monitoring systems is increasing. In addition, the growing number of peatland restoration projects and carbon crediting schemes also require reliable, transparent and spatially explicit monitoring systems. Peatland greenhouse gas emissions are highly variable in both time and space and measurement techniques come with considerable uncertainty, challenging the applicability of current approaches. Furthermore substantial differences exists between countries in monitoring methods and reporting approaches, hampering international comparisons and the harmonisation of emission estimates.
This sessions aims to bring together researchers who contribute directly or indirectly to peatland greenhouse gas monitoring to exchange ideas and share best practices from across Europe and beyond. We invite contributions focusing on the development and application of methods and tools for peatland greenhouse gas monitoring. Both contributions discussing current practices and those presenting novel approaches are welcome. Relevant topics include, but are not limited to, process-based modelling, greenhouse gas measurement networks, monitoring methodologies, mapping products and approaches, monitoring requirements, and supporting research that advances peatland greenhouse gas assessment.
This session is supported by the European Peatland Greenhouse Gas Monitoring Group.