TY - JOUR
T1 - Priority research questions in global peatland science
AU - Milner, Alice M.
AU - McKeown, Michelle M.
AU - Ruwaimana, Monika
AU - Gallego-Sala, Angela
AU - Loisel, Julie
AU - Menges, Johanna
AU - Roland, Thomas P.
AU - Ahiable, Crystal A.E.
AU - Akwany, Leonard O.
AU - Alarcon-Prado, Paola
AU - Anshari, Gusti
AU - Alappat, Linto
AU - Baird, Andy J.
AU - Bąk, Mariusz
AU - Bambuta Boole, Jean Jacques
AU - Batten, Stephanie E.
AU - Beaudoin, Yannick
AU - Bechtold, Michel
AU - Bu, Zhao Jun
AU - Budisusanti, Sri Parwati Murwani
AU - Benavides, Juan C.
AU - Chawchai, Sakonvan
AU - Chimner, Rodney A.
AU - Cobb, Alexander R.
AU - Cole, Lydia E.S.
AU - Connolly, John
AU - Calvo Vargas, Janet Coral
AU - Courtney-Mustaphi, Colin J.
AU - Davidson, Scott J.
AU - de la Peña, Angeles
AU - Duley, Emma
AU - Elshehawi, Samer
AU - Espinoza León, Ingrid
AU - Finkelstein, Sarah A.
AU - Garneau, Michelle
AU - Girkin, Nicholas T.
AU - Glen, Erin
AU - Grover, Samantha
AU - Grundling, Piet Louis
AU - Handley, Josephine N.
AU - Helfter, Carole
AU - Hergoualc’h, Kristell
AU - Hoyt, Alison M.
AU - Huang, Xianyu
AU - Imani, Gerard
AU - James, Alexander
AU - Kabonyi Nzabandora, Chantal
AU - Kagaba Kairumba, Carol
AU - Moss, Patrick
AU - Swindles, Graeme T.
PY - 2026/4/28
Y1 - 2026/4/28
N2 - Peatlands are among Earth’s largest terrestrial carbon stores and are crucial for climate regulation, biodiversity conservation, and water security. Yet peatlands worldwide are deteriorating under pressures from climate change and human disturbance. Strategic, globally coordinated research is urgently needed to protect, restore and manage peatlands so they can continue to deliver essential ecosystem services. To meet this challenge, here we present a global research prioritisation for peatland science, based on a two-stage online survey and expert voting exercise involving 467 participants from 54 countries. We identify 50 priority research questions spanning carbon dynamics, climate impacts, restoration and management, technological innovation, and community and policy engagement. These questions provide a community-informed agenda to guide peatland research over the next decade. Addressing them will help close critical knowledge gaps, strengthen evidence-based decision making, and support the role of peatlands in achieving global climate and biodiversity goals.
AB - Peatlands are among Earth’s largest terrestrial carbon stores and are crucial for climate regulation, biodiversity conservation, and water security. Yet peatlands worldwide are deteriorating under pressures from climate change and human disturbance. Strategic, globally coordinated research is urgently needed to protect, restore and manage peatlands so they can continue to deliver essential ecosystem services. To meet this challenge, here we present a global research prioritisation for peatland science, based on a two-stage online survey and expert voting exercise involving 467 participants from 54 countries. We identify 50 priority research questions spanning carbon dynamics, climate impacts, restoration and management, technological innovation, and community and policy engagement. These questions provide a community-informed agenda to guide peatland research over the next decade. Addressing them will help close critical knowledge gaps, strengthen evidence-based decision making, and support the role of peatlands in achieving global climate and biodiversity goals.
U2 - 10.1038/s43247-026-03321-5
DO - 10.1038/s43247-026-03321-5
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:105037994537
SN - 2662-4435
VL - 7
JO - Communications Earth and Environment
JF - Communications Earth and Environment
M1 - 349
ER -
SDG 13 Climate Action
SDG 15 Life on Land