Nature and environment - Conservation - Wetland conservation - Water management
Why are drained peatlands rewetted in conservation?
Correct!
Peatlands store large amounts of carbon in peat over very long periods. As long as the soil remains permanently wet, dead plant material decomposes only very slowly. When peatlands are drained, however, oxygen enters the peat soil. The peat then decomposes more rapidly and the stored carbon is released, among other forms, as carbon dioxide. Rewetting can involve blocking drainage ditches and raising the water level. This allows typical peatland habitats to develop again, benefiting specialized plants, insects, and birds.
Rewetting keeps peat soils wet, slows decomposition, and protects stored carbon.
