Greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions from peatlands contribute significantly to ongoing climate change because of human land use. To develop reliable and comprehensive estimates and predictions of GHG emissions from peatlands, it is necessary to have GHG observations, including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), that cover different peatland types globally. We synthesize published peatland studies with field GHG flux measurements to identify gaps in observations and suggest directions for future research. Although GHG flux measurements have been conducted at numerous sites globally, substantial gaps remain in current observations, encompassing various peatland types, regions and GHGs. Generally, there is a pressing need for additional GHG observations in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean regions. Despite widespread measurements of CO2 and CH4, studies quantifying N2O emissions from peatlands are scarce, particularly in natural ecosystems. To expand the global coverage of peatland data, it is crucial to conduct more eddy covariance observations for long-term monitoring. Automated chambers are preferable for plot-scale observations to produce high temporal resolution data; however, traditional field campaigns with manual chamber measurements remain necessary, particularly in remote areas. To ensure that the data can be further used for modeling purposes, we suggest that chamber campaigns should be conducted at least monthly for a minimum duration of one year with no fewer than three replicates and measure key environmental variables. In addition, further studies are needed in restored peatlands, focusing on identifying the most effective restoration approaches for different ecosystem types, conditions, climates, and land use histories.The tremendous reservoir of soil organic carbon (SOC) in wetlands is being threatened by water-table decline (WTD) globally. However, the SOC response to WTD remains highly uncertain. Here we examine the under-investigated role of iron (Fe) in mediating soil enzyme activity and lignin stabilization in a mesocosm WTD experiment in an alpine wetland. In contrast to the classic \uffe2\uff80\uff98enzyme latch\uffe2\uff80\uff99 theory, phenol oxidative activity is mainly controlled by ferrous iron [Fe(II)] and declines with WTD, leading to an accumulation of dissolvable aromatics and a reduced activity of hydrolytic enzyme. Furthermore, using dithionite to remove Fe oxides, we observe a significant increase of Fe-protected lignin phenols in the air-exposed soils. Fe oxidation hence acts as an \uffe2\uff80\uff98iron gate\uffe2\uff80\uff99 against the \uffe2\uff80\uff98enzyme latch\uffe2\uff80\uff99 in regulating wetland SOC dynamics under oxygen exposure. This newly recognized mechanism may be key to predicting wetland soil carbon storage with intensified WTD in a changing climate.
", "keywords": ["Composite material", "Science", "Soil Science", "Organic chemistry", "Carbon Dynamics in Peatland Ecosystems", "01 natural sciences", "Article", "Environmental science", "Agricultural and Biological Sciences", "Importance of Mangrove Ecosystems in Coastal Protection", "Soil water", "Carbon fibers", "Soil Carbon Sequestration", "Biology", "Groundwater", "Ecosystem", "0105 earth and related environmental sciences", "Soil science", "Ecology", "Q", "Life Sciences", "Composite number", "Geology", "Mesocosm", "FOS: Earth and related environmental sciences", "04 agricultural and veterinary sciences", "15. Life on land", "Soil carbon", "Materials science", "6. Clean water", "Water table", "Chemistry", "Geotechnical engineering", "13. Climate action", "FOS: Biological sciences", "Environmental Science", "Physical Sciences", "Wetland", "Environmental chemistry", "0401 agriculture", " forestry", " and fisheries", "Soil Carbon Dynamics and Nutrient Cycling in Ecosystems", "Ferrous"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms15972"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Nature%20Communications", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1038/ncomms15972", "name": "item", "description": "10.1038/ncomms15972", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1038/ncomms15972"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2017-06-26T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10568/135827", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-05-23T16:24:29Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2023-10-15", "title": "Global observation gaps of peatland greenhouse gas balances: needs and obstacles", "description": "AbstractGreenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions from peatlands contribute significantly to ongoing climate change because of human land use. To develop reliable and comprehensive estimates and predictions of GHG emissions from peatlands, it is necessary to have GHG observations, including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), that cover different peatland types globally. We synthesize published peatland studies with field GHG flux measurements to identify gaps in observations and suggest directions for future research. Although GHG flux measurements have been conducted at numerous sites globally, substantial gaps remain in current observations, encompassing various peatland types, regions and GHGs. Generally, there is a pressing need for additional GHG observations in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean regions. Despite widespread measurements of CO2 and CH4, studies quantifying N2O emissions from peatlands are scarce, particularly in natural ecosystems. To expand the global coverage of peatland data, it is crucial to conduct more eddy covariance observations for long-term monitoring. Automated chambers are preferable for plot-scale observations to produce high temporal resolution data; however, traditional field campaigns with manual chamber measurements remain necessary, particularly in remote areas. To ensure that the data can be further used for modeling purposes, we suggest that chamber campaigns should be conducted at least monthly for a minimum duration of one year with no fewer than three replicates and measure key environmental variables. In addition, further studies are needed in restored peatlands, focusing on identifying the most effective restoration approaches for different ecosystem types, conditions, climates, and land use histories.