Organic Carbon in Drained Peat Bogs

In recent years the problem of carbon emissions is very relevant issue. This is due to the increasing trend of atmospheric pollution by greenhouse gases. Peatlands have a large reserve of organic carbon. It is important to keep this reserve and prevent large losses of carbon emissions. How can this be done? The answer is found in the paper. The paper presents an unique model for estimation of the carbon budget of drained peatlands of different land use. The model is an alternative to the methods based on measurements of incoming and outgoing carbon fluxes in the ecosystem. The model is based on the results of long-term stationary observations of drained peatland shrinkage and abrasion for varying intensity and duration of use. The model allows to increase the accuracy of calculations of losses of dry peat mass organic matter and carbon. The paper presents the characteristics of peatlands of Ukrainian Polesie which can be interesting for the reader. This paper will be very useful to ecologists and professionals involved in the protection and rational use or conservation of peatlands.