Global Scientists Formulate the Most Urgent Research Questions on Peatlands

An international team of researchers has identified the most pressing unanswered questions about the world’s peatland ecosystems. These findings provide a global roadmap to guide the future direction of science and policy for one of the planet's most crucial and endangered ecosystems.

The study, published on 28 April 2026 in Communications Earth & Environment (Nature Portfolio)  involved 467 participants from 54 countries, including researchers, practitioners, and policy experts. In Indonesia, the research engaged the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Tanjungpura University, Atmajaya University, as well as environmental NGOs Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara (YKAN) and the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR).

Indonesia is a key focus area due to having the world’s largest tropical peatlands. Through surveys and expert opinion analyses, the study highlights critical knowledge gaps and research areas with the greatest potential to impact climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable land management.

Peatlands: Vital for Climate Change Mitigation

Global peatlands cover only about three percent of Earth’s land surface—around 400 million hectares—but store more carbon than all the world’s forests combined. When healthy and water-saturated, peat can store carbon for thousands of years. However, drainage, fires, mining, and land conversion can rapidly release this carbon as massive greenhouse gas emissions.

“Despite their critical role, the world still lacks fundamental knowledge about how peatland ecosystems respond to climate change, how to restore them effectively, and how to protect them without neglecting the interests of local and Indigenous communities,” said Prof. Gusti Z. Anshari, a tropical peat expert from Tanjungpura University and a contributor to the study.

Researchers conducted a global survey involving scientists, practitioners, and policymakers, asking them to identify the most urgent unanswered research questions spanning ecology, hydrology, biogeochemistry, climate science, and social sciences. “The selected questions reflect the diversity of peatlands, from boreal and temperate regions to tropical peat swamps of Southeast Asia and the Arctic tundra,” Prof. Anshari explained.

Key issues raised include: the extent and distribution of global peatlands—especially in poorly mapped areas; identifying ecological tipping points at which peatlands shift from carbon sinks to carbon sources; and integrating traditional ecological knowledge and the role of Indigenous communities effectively into peatland management and restoration.

Advanced technologies such as remote sensing and artificial intelligence are also highlighted for strengthening peatland monitoring systems. The study emphasizes the need for global initiatives that promote fair, inclusive, and community-empowered peatland management.

Strengthening Peat Science through MRV Systems

Dr. Nisa Novita, Senior Manager for Forest Carbon and Climate at YKAN and a participating peat researcher, noted that one of the study’s big questions is how Indonesia can enhance and sustain its peatland monitoring systems. This challenge is critical, given that Indonesia’s peatlands are highly vulnerable to land conversion and wildfires, especially during the dry season.

According to Nisa, YKAN is working to improve the Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) systems for carbon stocks and greenhouse gas emissions on peatlands. Efforts include long-term emissions monitoring and intensive carbon surveys, particularly in West Kalimantan.

“Our work involves closed-chamber methods, installation of carbon flux monitoring tools using Eddy Covariance, and peatland restoration through canal blocking, community-based sustainable agriculture, and replanting,” explained Nisa.

She emphasised that strengthening MRV forms a crucial foundation for science-based peatland policies. “Robust and continuous data are essential to ensure that peatland restoration truly leads to emission reductions and improved community welfare,” she concluded.