Enhanced Understanding of Carbon and Groundwater Dynamics in European Peatlands and Their Related Ecosystem Services (ECO-WADE)

Introduction

ECO-WADE targets European peatlands, crucial for climate adaptation and mitigation at the intersection of groundwater, surface water, and terrestrial landscapes. Peatlands support EU and national climate policies, with rewetting degraded areas as a key measure. Despite the central role of peatland hydrology, especially groundwater processes, knowledge and detailed mapping across Europe are limited.

ECO-WADE addresses these gaps by investigating three ecosystem services: Water Purification, Water Regulation, and Climate Regulation. Case studies in four countries, including former peat extraction areas in Finland, will link hydrology with these services. Using Copernicus Earth data, high-resolution maps of water table depth, drainage, and land use will be produced. The effects of rewetting will be analysed through fieldwork, modelling, and collaboration with stakeholders to develop an ecosystem assessment tool. Insights will guide future climate adaptation and ecosystem management across Europe.

Partners: The project is coordinated by the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, Denmark, with partners including the Geological Survey of Finland; Trinity College Dublin, Ireland; University of Tartu, Estonia; Uppsala University, Sweden; University of Liverpool, United Kingdom; Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Netherlands

The coordinator of the project:: Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, coordinator Julian Koch (juko@geus.dk)

Funding authority: International Co-Funded Program, Research Council of Finland and EU

Contact Persons: Jukka Turunen, Liisa Maanavilja

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