US peatland restoration stores carbon equal to 42,000 vehicles

Restored peat wetlands at the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in North Carolina have sequestered about 200,000 metric tons of carbon annually, equivalent to the yearly emissions of 42,000 vehicles, according to a US Geological Survey and Fish and Wildlife Service study. The Times of India reports that the Fish and Wildlife Service and its partners have restored 37,000 acres of peatland at the refuge using water-control structures to rewet drained areas, reducing wildfire risks and storing carbon.

Peatlands, which cover only about 3% of the Earth's surface, store more than twice as much carbon as all the world's forests, The Nature Conservancy notes. When dry, peat becomes highly flammable and releases large amounts of carbon dioxide when it burns. Major wildfires, such as the 2008 lightning-sparked fire at Pocosin Lakes that burned for three months and destroyed over 40,000 acres, have highlighted the need for restoration.

The restoration teams monitor water levels to mimic natural hydrology, avoiding simply flooding the land. The programme also involves local communities, with refuge officials holding meetings to address concerns about water management affecting farms. The work is supported by funding from the Inflation Reduction Act and is part of broader efforts to protect coastal peatlands from sea-level rise, storms and flooding.