Forest Policy / Biosecurity
Authors: Heath Linda , Row Clark , Perschel Robert , Boucher Douglas , Elias Patricia , Lininger Katherine , May-Tobin Calen , Saxon Earl , Ruddell Steven , Collins Sally , Ruddell Sarah , Zhou Mo , Pelkki Matthew , Galik Christopher , Abt Robert , Milanes-Murcia Maria , Eng Helge , Cantler Sandy , Malovrh Špela Pezdevšek , Avdibegovic Mersudin , Hodges Donald , Butler Brett , Catanzaro Paul , Greene John , Hewes Jaketon , Kilgore Michael , Kittredge David , Ma Zhao , Tyrrell Mary , Barnwell John , Delaney Kelsey , Cleaves David , Cleaves David , Yoffe Shira , Swanston Chris , Janowiak Maria , Dunkelberger Bill , Robards Timothy , Saah David , O'Laughlin Jay , Lippke Bruce , Oneil Elaine , Allred Shorna , Dayer Ashley , Stedman Richard , Song Nianfu , Aguilar Francisco , Shifley Stephen , Goerndt Michael , Malmsheimer Robert , Bowyer James , Fried Jeremy , Gee Edmund , Izlar Bob , Miner Reid , Munn Ian , Oneil Elaine , Stewart William , Delaney Kelsey , Malmsheimer Robert , Bowyer James , Fried Jeremy , Gee Edmund , Izlar Bob , Miner Reid , Munn Ian , Oneil Elaine , Stewart William , Delaney Kelsey , Schultz Courtney , Jedd Theresa , Havill Nathan , Onken Bradley , Gottschalk Kurt , Cannon Philip , Hauff Robert , Hughes Flint , Togia Tavita , Moore Aubrey , Quitugua Roland , McCullough Deborah , Poland Therese , Schneeberger Noel , Progar Robert , Valle Janet , Markin George , Milan Joe , Barbouletos Tom , Rinella Matt , Soper Anna , Kruse James , Enloe Stephen , Pecot Stephen , Hauff Robert , Mann Sheri S. , Moore Aubrey , Quitugua Roland , Vanderwoude Cas , Tyrrell Mary , Paul Gillian , Ward Jeffrey , Cousins Stella , Comins Partick , Gupta Angela , Abrahamson Mark , Cervenka Val , Hahn Jeff , Herzfeld Dean , Holman Ken , Johnson Gary , Wyatt Gary , Mayer Amy , Buck Michael , Neville Rachel , Fujikawa Jean , King Cynthia , Hauff Robert , Kaufman Leyla , Wright Mark , Kaufman Leyla , Yalemar Juliana , Wright Mark , Heissenbuttel John , Parks Catherine , Nikolov Ned , Zeller Karl , Heissenbuttel John , Heissenbuttel John , Heissenbuttel John , Fried Jeremy , Jain Theresa , Sandquist Jonathan , Potts Larry , Seybold Steven , Coleman Tom , Werner Ken , Richardson Brian , Ferreira Francisco , Matusick George , Ruthrof Katinka , Hardy Giles 
Published: April 2024

7Massive fires in Indonesian peatlands in the 1990s and in eastern Russian peatlands in 2002 and last year have highlighted the need to manage forests overlying peat deposits, as well as converted peat forests and open peatlands. Peat or peaty soils, contain 65% or more of partially decayed vegetation, can burn freely or underground. They cover some 10 percent of worldwide forests and contain 25 percent of all terrestrial carbon. Recent massive greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from fires in forested peat and peatland in Indonesia and in Russia highlight the need for policies to reduce GHG emissions. We discuss major peatland areas and quantify their carbon stocks and potential GHG emissions. Trends show that year-to-year emissions are variable, with huge pulses that are a significant share of global GHG emissions. We group suggested policy options into three approaches. The first approach, which will reduce peat-related product demand, includes a) restricting peat, and products produced on cleared forested peatland, from being labeled or counted in GHG reduction achievements, as renewable (which palm oil currently is considered); b) developing full substitutes for horticultural peat (comprising about half mined peat use); and c) developing renewable power in countries still dependent on peat for power generation. These options reduce the rate of developing newly mined peat/forest areas. Options for a second approach, which treat already drained and cleared forested peatlands, are: d) restoring functioning peat ecosystems by closing drainage ditches, allowing natural rewetting, and “seeding” with peat vegetation fragments, e) requiring current peat operators to restore mined areas right after all peat is removed, and f) converting them to other land uses, despite the acidic conditions of mined peat bogs. These options sharply reduce risks of peat fires. Finally, a third group of policy options reduces ignition risks and limit fire spread: g) developing monitoring, suppression techniques, h) organizing local landowner protection groups and i) improving public fire organizations.