Enhanced understanding of CarbOn and groundWAter Dynamics in European peatlands and their related ecosystem services (ECO-WADE)

Ecosystem services provided by peatlands play a central role in climate policies at EU and national scales. In these policies, the measure of rewetting degraded peatlands under land use is explicitly mentioned. Peatland hydrology, is recognized as the key driver of vital ecosystem services peatlands provide.

However, basic understanding of how hydrology impacts peatland functioning at the European scale is currently lacking.

To address these knowledge gaps, ECO-WADE focuses on developing connections between hydrology and three key ecosystem services provided by peatlands including water purification, water regulation and climate regulation using case studies across four countries. High-resolution data products that comprehensively map peatland hydrology will be generated at pan-European scale.

The potential impact peatland rewetting has on the three selected ecosystem services will be analyzed through a combination of field observations, data analysis and modelling carried out across case studies.

Furthermore, ECO-WADE aims to disseminate the obtained knowledge and generated data products effectively to decision makers and landscape planners in order to enhance the effectiveness of rewetting initiatives.

ECO-WADE aligns with the overall Water4All Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) and will ultimately develop ecosystem assessment tools and solutions for upscaling beyond the European scale, as well as synthesizing national rewetting policies.