New paper highlighting data and knowledge needs for improving science and policy for peatlands in Canada

In a new paper published in the journal FACETS, Kara Webster and co-authors describe key insights from the Global Peatlands Initiative Workshop in June 2023. Workshop participants reflected a range of interest groups and expertise in peatland science. Participants were asked to identify types of peatland data, the best way to measure each type of data, and to prioritize the types of data that should be collected. Based on the results of the workshop seven recommendations were identified, including creating standardized, yet flexible protocols for data collection, coordinating field data collection, keeping potential end users in mind when collecting data, engaging new partners including Indigenous communities, weaving more traditional knowledge into knowledge on peatlands, creating an atlas of past and present peatland data collection efforts, and finally scoping opportunities for a network of peatland “super sites”. Co-authors include ERG member Katie Hettinga and other peatland researchers. The paper can be found at: https://doi.org/10.1139/facets-2024-0142