Dewatering peatlands increases CO2 emissions

Every year, 3,6 megatons of CO2 are captured from the atmosphere. For example, 2% of Dutch CO2 emissions are compensated. However, due to continuous drainage of peatlands, especially for agriculture, these areas emit almost 7 megatons of CO2 annually.

This has emerged from a study by Statistics Netherlands and Wageningen University & Research (WUR), commissioned by the Ministries of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure and the Environment.

The research shows that about 60% of all carbon is stored in Dutch forests. Agricultural soils, especially grassland, account for about 20% of total carbon sequestration. However, it appears that the sequestration of CO2 per hectare in agricultural land is many times lower than in forests. 

Most capture in Gelderland
Most carbon is captured in Gelderland (22%) and North Brabant (17%). These are also provinces with a relatively large amount of forest area. The least carbon is stored in Zeeland, Flevoland and Groningen, less than 4% per province. These areas have a lot of arable land and little forest area.

Peat areas emit
In the Netherlands, CO2 emissions from peatlands are about twice as high as carbon sequestration in all ecosystems (jointly). By lowering the groundwater level, the peat dries up, releasing greenhouse gases. 

Emissions are highest in the provinces with the most peat meadow areas: Friesland (24%), Drenthe (22%) and South Holland (15%). However, the emissions depend on the drainage depth of the peat. The deeper the groundwater level, the more CO2 is emitted.

In Friesland and Drenthe, CO2 emissions rise to more than 40 tons per hectare per year. On average, the emissions of 1 hectare of peat correspond to the annual CO2 emissions of 3 households.

Kimberly Baker

Kimberly Bakker is an all-round editor at Boerenbusiness. She also has an eye for the social media channels of Boerenbusiness.

k.baker @boerenbusiness. Nl

© DCA Market Intelligence. This market information is subject to copyright. It is not permitted to reproduce, distribute, disseminate or make the content available to third parties for compensation, in any form, without the express written permission of DCA Market Intelligence.