What, when, who and how? A review of peatland research in Amazonia
Amazonia is believed to harbour the world’s most extensive tropical peatlands, storing significant amounts of carbon and having high value for biodiversity conservation, climate regulation and human welfare. However, a comprehensive assessment is hampered by fragmentary knowledge of the locations of...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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International Mire Conservation Group and International Peatland Society
2024-04-01
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| Series: | Mires and Peat |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://mires-and-peat.net/media/map31/map31_03.pdf |
| _version_ | 1797220614937772032 |
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| author | Cristina Malpica-Piñeros Alexandra Barthelmes Hans Joosten |
| author_facet | Cristina Malpica-Piñeros Alexandra Barthelmes Hans Joosten |
| author_sort | Cristina Malpica-Piñeros |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Amazonia is believed to harbour the world’s most extensive tropical peatlands, storing significant amounts of carbon and having high value for biodiversity conservation, climate regulation and human welfare. However, a comprehensive assessment is hampered by fragmentary knowledge of the locations of peat-covered areas and this, in turn, prevents their protection and restoration in the face of ongoing anthropogenic destruction. The study reported here reviewed research activities on peatlands in Amazonia, which started with ecological studies in the 1950s. We found a broad and significant thematic increase since 2009, with growing focus first on carbon accumulation and greenhouse gas fluxes then, after 2017, on degradation and conservation, along with a spatial imbalance in favour of the Peruvian lowlands. Hitherto, very little scientific attention has been directed towards the peatlands of western Brazil, the Bolivian lowlands and the Guianas. Most research in Amazonia has been conducted by international institutions with, in recent times, increasing contributions from local institutes and research groups. Nevertheless, research on Amazonian peatlands is still in its early stages, and several scientific questions remain unanswered. Advancing the knowledge base with respect to various scientific disciplines (e.g., ecology, biology, geography, social sciences and economics) is, therefore, essential for understanding how and where peatlands developed, how they are used, which ecosystem services they provide, how climate change will affect them and, finally, what would be the most appropriate conservation, restoration and sustainable use strategies for safeguarding the wellbeing of both peatlands and people. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T12:52:21Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-912ce7d1f6194a9e83fd1ba62c32c283 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1819-754X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T12:52:21Z |
| publishDate | 2024-04-01 |
| publisher | International Mire Conservation Group and International Peatland Society |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Mires and Peat |
| spelling | doaj.art-912ce7d1f6194a9e83fd1ba62c32c2832024-04-06T03:11:46ZengInternational Mire Conservation Group and International Peatland SocietyMires and Peat1819-754X2024-04-01310312610.19189/MaP.2023.OMB.Sc.2115055What, when, who and how? A review of peatland research in AmazoniaCristina Malpica-Piñeros0https://orcid.org/0009-0009-3765-6701Alexandra Barthelmes1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1140-9042Hans Joosten2Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology, University of Greifswald, Partner in the Greifswald Mire Centre, GermanyInstitute of Botany and Landscape Ecology, University of Greifswald, Partner in the Greifswald Mire Centre, GermanyInstitute of Botany and Landscape Ecology, University of Greifswald, Partner in the Greifswald Mire Centre, GermanyAmazonia is believed to harbour the world’s most extensive tropical peatlands, storing significant amounts of carbon and having high value for biodiversity conservation, climate regulation and human welfare. However, a comprehensive assessment is hampered by fragmentary knowledge of the locations of peat-covered areas and this, in turn, prevents their protection and restoration in the face of ongoing anthropogenic destruction. The study reported here reviewed research activities on peatlands in Amazonia, which started with ecological studies in the 1950s. We found a broad and significant thematic increase since 2009, with growing focus first on carbon accumulation and greenhouse gas fluxes then, after 2017, on degradation and conservation, along with a spatial imbalance in favour of the Peruvian lowlands. Hitherto, very little scientific attention has been directed towards the peatlands of western Brazil, the Bolivian lowlands and the Guianas. Most research in Amazonia has been conducted by international institutions with, in recent times, increasing contributions from local institutes and research groups. Nevertheless, research on Amazonian peatlands is still in its early stages, and several scientific questions remain unanswered. Advancing the knowledge base with respect to various scientific disciplines (e.g., ecology, biology, geography, social sciences and economics) is, therefore, essential for understanding how and where peatlands developed, how they are used, which ecosystem services they provide, how climate change will affect them and, finally, what would be the most appropriate conservation, restoration and sustainable use strategies for safeguarding the wellbeing of both peatlands and people.http://mires-and-peat.net/media/map31/map31_03.pdfamazon basinbibliometricsmirepeat |
| spellingShingle | Cristina Malpica-Piñeros Alexandra Barthelmes Hans Joosten What, when, who and how? A review of peatland research in Amazonia Mires and Peat amazon basin bibliometrics mire peat |
| title | What, when, who and how? A review of peatland research in Amazonia |
| title_full | What, when, who and how? A review of peatland research in Amazonia |
| title_fullStr | What, when, who and how? A review of peatland research in Amazonia |
| title_full_unstemmed | What, when, who and how? A review of peatland research in Amazonia |
| title_short | What, when, who and how? A review of peatland research in Amazonia |
| title_sort | what when who and how a review of peatland research in amazonia |
| topic | amazon basin bibliometrics mire peat |
| url | http://mires-and-peat.net/media/map31/map31_03.pdf |
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