Peatlands Research and Innovation at University of Galway
A national ecosystem becoming a symbol of global planetary health.
Purpose
Peatlands are a vital part of our national ecosystem and also offer an important pathway to global planetary health. We are working to tackle the global challenges intertwined with peatlands, those related to decarbonisation, biodiversity loss, just transitions and culture.
Peatlands are a unique form of wetlands and cover about 3% of our planet’s land, storing approximately 30% of all land-based carbon, twice the amount of all the world’s forests combined. Peatlands are the most effective carbon sinks on Earth.
When drained or burned for agriculture, peatlands go from being a carbon sink to a carbon source, releasing centuries of stored carbon into the atmosphere. CO2 emissions from drained and burned peatlands equate to 10% of all annual fossil fuel emissions.
In Ireland, approximately 21% of the land is peatland. However, 85% of these are degraded. Reimaging and replenishing peatlands could have a multiplier effect on Ireland’s ability to meet its net zero carbon emission goals.
People
We recognised that peatlands and wetlands have been supporting communities for centuries and are integral to local identities and livelihoods.
Our university has a critical mass of cross-disciplinary peatland researchers and projects, working with stakeholders across the sciences, community, policy and cultural domains. Like so many challenges, we recognise that solutions cannot be found from one perspective, so we engage with land owners, farmers, policymakers, community groups, government agencies and other research institutions.
Place
Our local and global outlook allows us to connect across Ireland, and with other other peatland research groups and initiatives
Galway, situated on the west coast of Ireland, is surrounded by some of Europe's most important wetlands, which hold great significance as part of the country's living heritage. These unique and enigmatic landscapes, which are to be found across the country, are not only rich in biodiversity but also serve as habitats for numerous specialised plants and animals that cannot be found anywhere else.
With this sense of place we reach out across Ireland, Europe and beyond to form meaningful partnerships and collaborations in wetland and peatland research.
Thematic areas of research in this area at University of Galway include:
Paludiculture is an urgently needed sustainable concept of agriculture on formerly drained peatlands in order to protect the climate. This video by Greifswald Moor Centrum showcases a 5-day study tour involving more than 50 farmers, landowners and policy makers - from various European countries to learn about paludiculture research and implementation.
Peatland Futures
7 December, 2023
Hardiman Library, University of Galway
Integrating science, policy, best practices, and the public
In December 2023, University of Galway announced plans to establish the National Peatland Centre of Excellence to help tackle national and global challenges related to peatlands and associated decarbonisation, biodiversity loss, just transitions and culture. (see press release here).
This initiative follows the successful Peatland Futures event held at the university, which brought together experts, policymakers and stakeholders to deliberate on the future of peatland and wetland research and innovation in Ireland. Representatives from government departments, universities and community and farming organisations took part in the event.
A crucial component of Peatland Futures was the collective call to action for wetland and peatland restoration and conservation. Recognising the significance of improving peatland conditions for long-term environmental benefit, participants were united in support of establishing a national centre of excellence to provide essential support, knowledge, training, policy insights and resources necessary for conservation efforts.
Speaking at the Peatland Futures event, Professor Jim Livesey, Vice-President for Research and Innovation at University of Galway said: “Like so many challenges, we recognise that solutions cannot be found from one perspective, so we wish to engage with landowners, farmers, policymakers, community groups, government agencies and other research institutions. Together, we can make a lasting difference for the preservation of Ireland's peatlands.”
Dr Terry Morley, Assistant Professor and organiser of the Peatland Futures event, said: “Ireland has world-class peatland research and expertise and it’s time we act to increase our collective capacity for research, public outreach and dissemination, and to train the next generation of peatland practitioners. The University of Galway is uniquely situated with blanket and raised bogs at our doorstep and broad interdisciplinary peatland research expertise.”
For further information contact Dr Terry Morley, Assistant Professor at University of Galway.