Peatlands play an important role in the global methane (CH 4 ) cycle and models are key tools to assess global change effects on CH 4 processes. It remains unclear how well existing wetland modelling frameworks are suited to peatland questions. Therefore, we reviewed the published literature on 16 peatland and wetland models and reported spatial and temporal scales, spin-up periods for stabilization of different carbon pools,...

The EU Nature Restoration Law (NRL) is critical for the restoration of degraded ecosystems and active afforestation of degraded peatlands has been suggested as a restoration measure under the NRL. Here, we discuss the current state of scientific evidence on the climate mitigation effects of peatlands under forestry. Afforestation of drained peatlands without restoring their hydrology does not fully restore ecosystem functions....

Drainage and conversion of natural peatlands to forestry increases soil CO 2 emissions through decomposition of peat and modifies the quantity and quality of litter inputs and therefore the soil carbon balance. In organic soils, CO 2 net emissions and removals are reported using carbon emission factors (EF). The choice of specific default Tier 1 EF values from the IPCC 2013 Wetlands supplement depends on land‐use categories an...

The effect of stand age on soil respiration and its components was studied in a first rotation Sitka spruce chronosequence composed of 10‐, 15‐, 31‐, and 47‐year‐old stands established on wet mineral gley in central Ireland. For each stand age, three forest stands with similar characteristics of soil type and site preparation were used. There were no significant differences in total soil respiration among sites of the same age...