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.
