Wetland restoration for the future

Project Information

ALFAwetlands

Grant agreement ID: 101056844

DOI

10.3030/101056844

EC signature date 4 May 2022

Start date 1 June 2022

End date 30 November 2026

Funded under

• Climate, Energy and Mobility

Total cost

€ 7 967 118,75

EU contribution

€ 7 967 115,00

Coordinated by

LUONNONVARAKESKUS
Finland

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - ALFAwetlands (Wetland restoration for the future)

Reporting period: 2023-12-01 to 2025-05-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The global goal to mitigate climate change (CC) is to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) by 2050. The European Union (EU) aims to reduce GHGE by at least 55% already by 2030. Achieving these ambitious targets requires new mitigation measures across all sectors, including land use, land-use change, and forestry (LULUCF). Wetlands, as carbon (C)-rich ecosystems, can make a significant contribution to climate goals, biodiversity, and water-related ecosystem services.

However, major uncertainties remain regarding the spatial extent of wetlands, their capacity as C sinks, and the dynamics of C fluxes. In addition, the socioeconomic impacts of wetlands under current and future climate conditions are not yet well understood. These knowledge gaps hinder the effective use of wetlands for CC mitigation and adaptation, especially when considered alongside other options in agriculture, forestry, and other land use (AFOLU) sectors.

ALFAwetlands aims to mitigate climate change and reduce GHGE while supporting biodiversity and ecosystem services (BES) in a socially just and rewarding way. Our work focuses on increasing understanding of C storage and emissions in peatlands, floodplains, coastal wetlands, and artificial wetlands—particularly after restoration. We will develop and assess wetland management options for both already restored and to-be-restored sites. This includes measures for ecological restoration, rehabilitation, and revegetation to improve ecosystem conditions.

Our 9 Living Labs (LLs), covering 33 wetland sites across Europe from north to south, support interdisciplinary and multi-actor research addressing ecological, environmental, economic, and social aspects. Experimental data collected from these sites will be upscaled using models to assess the wider impacts of wetland restoration. Each LL contributes to enhancing knowledge on GHGE, land use, socio-economic conditions, and the acceptance of different levels of wetland restoration. To achieve ALFAwetlands’ goals, 5 research work packages (WPs) focus on: Improving the geospatial knowledge base of wetlands, Co-creating socially just and rewarding restoration pathways, Estimating restoration effects on GHGE and BES using field data, Developing policy-relevant scenarios for CC and BES, and Studying the societal impacts of wetland restoration.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Within the 36 months (RP2), ALFAwetlands project has completed 10 deliverables, in addition, 2 key milestones have been reached. Below an overview of the main results achieved:
A major WP1 achievement was compiling and integrating wetland and peatland geodata into a significantly improved and freely available European Wetland Map. Several studies were completed alongside this:
• a study of how remote sensing can detect land use, land cover, and changes in wetlands.
• Identifying what geospatial data policymakers need to support better wetland planning
• identifying best practices for wetland restoration
• Creating metadata for a European Past Wetland Restoration Database
In WP2 was developed a multi-step dialogue process to support stakeholder learning and cooperation in wetland restoration. This process was first piloted in LL Sweden and then applied to three other LLs. The process has improved understanding of governance and stakeholder roles while building collaboration both within the project and with external partners.
In WP3 guidelines for harmonized data collection and an online database were developed during the first 18 months (RP1) and have been used since. Further:
• A study how land use, climate, and soil influence GHG emissions from managed wetlands
• A study of methods for monitoring BES, reviewed relevant policies, and introduced a matrix linking wetland types to ecosystem services (ES)
In WP4 advanced biophysical models have been set up to simulate how rewetting degraded wetlands can reduce emissions and boost carbon storage. These models are being scaled up to regional and EU-wide levels to project ES outcomes under different climate and land management scenarios. Further:
• ES simulations for European cropland, grassland, and forests have been completed.
• Simulations of partial and full rewetting of drained peat grasslands across Europe
• Testing CC scenarios and updating a major land-use model (GLOBIOM) for future scenario testing
WP5 carried out a Public Participation GIS (PPGIS) survey in 6 countries, gathering over 2,400 responses with spatial data on wetland visits and perceptions. A national citizen survey was also designed and conducted, providing insights into public knowledge, attitudes, and willingness to pay for wetland restoration.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Improved European Wetland Map (WP1) provides more consistent and comprehensive coverage of regional wetland/peatland types. Combined with ongoing tasks on wetland use it will crucially inform restoration efforts, GHG mitigation, and safeguarding biodiversity. WP2 Co-creation of knowledge - diverse groups iteratively create new knowledge together- generates knowledge for practice and policy to target societal change. Co-creation procedure will provide systematic evidence for favorable conditions, capacities to create impact. WP1’s improved accuracy of the spatial data on peatland use and WP3’s harmonized methodology creates a sound basis for developing higher Tier GHG emission factors for National GHG inventories. WP4’s biophysical modelling calibrated for managed and restored wet soils across Europe enables developing scenarios on different management options . At EU scale, implementing a dynamic wetland component (i.e. wetland typology, GHG balance, productivity, costs) will introduce quantified GHG abatement potential of wetland restoration and management in climate scenarios , currently lacking. WP5 surveys will improve the knowledge base on landowners’ willingness to accept compensation and on cost-benefit comparisons of wetland restoration, and thus inform the formulation of effective policies and analysis of mitigation potential in the AFOLU sector.

European Wetland map

Pertchart of the ALFAwetlands project

Location of ALFAwetlands' living labs (LL)