19/3 Seminar by Professor Susan Page

Tropical Peatlands - Carbon, Conflict and Compromise.

Abstract

Peatlands are critical terrestrial carbon stores and vital components of global carbon soil-atmosphere exchange processes. In this regard, tropical peatlands are important because they are some of the planet’s most carbon-dense ecosystems. Knowledge of the extent of tropical peatlands across the globe is still uncertain. Nevertheless, there is growing recognition of their significance for carbon storage, climate mitigation, biodiversity support and other ecosystem services, and of the ecological and biogeochemical consequences of land use change, including loss of carbon storage potential; high emissions of greenhouse gases; increased risk of fire; increased risk of flooding; loss of habitat for vulnerable, rare and endemic species; and reduced human livelihood opportunities.
Yet those advocating for more responsible peatland management have often found themselves in conflict with the agents of peatland development. My presentation reviews this narrative and opportunities for improved peatland management practices that attempt to integrate scientific, land use practice and policy aspirations to mitigate the negative ecological and economic consequences of peatland development. 

The seminar is open to all employees, colleagues and others whom find the topic of interest or relevance.