Context

Peatlands are Europe’s most significant terrestrial carbon sinks, storing five times more carbon than forests alone. Despite their vital role in climate regulation, water quality, and biodiversity, many have been ecologically degraded through historical drainage practices for timber production and agriculture. This presents a major challenge for practitioners: drained forested peatlands often act as carbon sources, and the lack of science-based management guidelines for diverse nutrient and hydrological statuses makes restoration complex. Furthermore, land managers must navigate difficult trade-offs between the multifunctionality of forests, such as commercial harvesting versus nature restoration.

ForPeat seizes these challenges as opportunities to advance sustainable land management. The project establishes eight ‘Open Labs’ across diverse European climates (ranging from subarctic to Mediterranean) to test and showcase innovative practices like rewetting and water conservation. For practitioners and foresters, this provides real-world evidence on how to balance climate positivity with biodiversity enhancement and water protection.

Beyond field trials, the project integrates advanced AI and robotics into environmental monitoring, offering end-users more accurate, non-invasive tools to track carbon stocks and ecosystem health. A key opportunity for land managers lies in ForPeat’s focus on economic viability; the project explores financial incentives and carbon farming schemes under the EU certification framework, aiming to turn restoration into a sustainable business model. By employing a multi-actor approach, ForPeat ensures that the practical recommendations and decision-support tools developed are directly aligned with the needs of those managing the land.

Objectives

ForPeat is an ambitious research project that will advance science-based approaches to optimise the management of forested peatland. At its core, the project will showcase innovative, sustainable forest practices and nature restoration goals on peat soils, focusing on rewetting and water conservation techniques. These demonstrations will serve as Open Labs, illustrating how to balance climate positivity with biodiversity enhancement. A key aspect of ForPeat assesses the carbon sequestration benefits of forested peatlands in relation to their management and how forest harvesting impacts nutrient cycles, sediment movement, dissolved organic carbon exports from forest peat soils and biodiversity. This comprehensive analysis will provide crucial indicators and baselines to maximise climate change mitigation, adaptation, and biodiversity conservation. To stay at the forefront of environmental monitoring, ForPeat will integrate AI and robotics into remote-sensing and field-data collection methods. ForPeat will explore how these demonstrated activities can be replicated and scaled up, with a focus on developing financial incentives under the EU certification framework. This research will translate into practical recommendations for policymakers and land managers. The project is built on collaboration, employing a multi-actor approach that brings together diverse stakeholders from landowners and foresters to scientists, public authorities, and industry representatives. This inclusive strategy ensures all relevant voices are considered throughout the project's lifecycle, aiming to pave the way for a more sustainable, resilient future for forested peatlands.

Activities

The project will implement and assess sustainable forest management practices on peat soils through a network of Open Labs (OLs):

WP2: Open Labs and co-benefits 

1. Implementation of rewetting and ecological restoration practices across diverse forest types.
2. Harmonization of monitoring strategies for GHG fluxes, nutrient leaching, and biodiversity.
3. Co-creation of solutions with stakeholders to evaluate social acceptance and trade-offs.

WP3: Advanced monitoring for peatlands forest 

1. Harmonization of data collection methods and creation of detailed multiscale maps.
2. Identification of priority areas for biodiversity and ecosystem services.
3. Development of remote sensing models and deployment of robotic systems for environmental tracking.

WP4: Assessment of practices & scenarios 

1. Assessment of current management practices under future climate change scenarios.
2. Optimization of forest multifunctionality through an integrated management approach.

WP5: Policy, finance and replication 

1. Analysis of European policies for the protection and sustainable management of forested peatlands.
2. Co-production of an evidence-based impact plan to identify opportunities for policy change.