Peatland Definition Matters for Carbon Accounting and Long-Term Ecosystem Restoration

¹ Faculty of Agriculture, Sriwijaya University, South Sumatra 30820, Indonesia.
² School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

Peatlands are carbon-rich ecosystems that represent the largest terrestrial carbon store and play a critical role in climate regulation. However, increasing human disturbances have significantly degraded peatlands, making their restoration a global priority. Despite its importance, efforts to estimate global peat carbon stocks remain constrained by the lack of standardized definitions of peatlands. This study aims to examine how variations in peatland definitions influence long-term ecosystem restoration strategies. A mixed-method approach was employed, combining quantitative survey data and qualitative interviews with local stakeholders. The analysis integrates descriptive statistics and thematic coding to capture both measurable patterns and contextual insights. The findings identify two key parameters shaping peatland definitions: minimum peat depth and minimum organic carbon content. Variability in these criteria leads to significant inconsistencies in peatland classification, which in turn affect restoration priorities and carbon accounting. The study highlights that future peatland definitions should prioritize carbon storage capacity and potential greenhouse gas emissions. Critical attributes include peat thickness, spatial extent, carbon concentration, and bulk density, which collectively determine volumetric carbon stocks. These findings underscore the need for a globally harmonized peatland definition framework to improve restoration effectiveness and strengthen climate change mitigation policies.