Wetlands and Climate Change

Question 1

1. Adaptation:

Answer 1

Lessen the impact of extreme weather events.

• Absorb flood water
• Coastal wetland protect ecosystems from storms and sea-level rise
• Wetlands are freshwater reservoirs in areas where there will be increased drought.

Question 2

2. Mitigation:

Answer 2

Improved wetland management can combat climate change.

– CO2 emissions from unsustainably managed wetlands should stop.
– Rehabilitation of wetlands can mitigate CO2 emissions.

Question 3

Facts about wetlands and C storage:

Answer 3

– Wetlands cover 6% of the surface, but store 35% of global C in soil.

– Peatlands are the most efficient in C storage of all terrestrial ecosystems
xx Peatlands store 2x more C than the world’s forests
xx Stores C for long term

– Peatland emissions in SE Asia far exceed fossil fuel contribution from major polluting countries

– Investing in reducing carbon emissions from wetlands is up to 100 times more cost effective than other mitigation options

Question 4

Peat dome degradation

1. Natural situation

Answer 4

• Water table close to surface

- Peat accumulation from vegetation over thousand of years

Question 5

Peat dome degradation

2. Drainage

Answer 5

• Water tables lowered

- Peat surface subsidence and CO2 emission starts

Question 6

Peat dome degradation

3. Continued drainage

Answer 6

• Decomposition of dry peat: CO2 emission
• High fire risk in dry peat: CO2 emission
• Peat Surface subsidence due to decomposition and shrinkage

Question 7

Peat dome degradation

4. End stage

Answer 7

• Most peat carbon above drainage limit released to the atmosphere within decades
• Unless conservation / mitigation measures are taken

Question 8

Wetlands play an important role in the C cycle:

Answer 8

• Store carbon

* Produce methane