What is peat and why is it important in our actions against climate change?

Peat is an organic material that forms over thousands of years in wetland environments. It is composed of partially decomposed plant matter, including mosses and other vegetation. Peatlands, which are ecosystems where peat is found, provide important services such as carbon storage and serving as habitats for a diverse range of species. Because of its properties the soil extracted from peatlands is used as a fuel source, gardening material or for agricultural use. If peatlands are damaged by artificial drainage and extraction of the soil, the stored mass of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases is released into the atmosphere. Through the collection of relevant data connected to peatlands in Europe, and more specifically South Tyrol, two approaches of data visualization have been developed. Key aspects of this work were the challenge to visualise the abstract form of greenhouse gas emissions in perceptible and tangible ways.

The Infographic “Stay hydrated” shows the state of peatlands connected to their past, present and future. The three parts underline the importance of the conservation and rewetting of peatlands.

“Sunflowers vs Peat” is physicalisation of data linked to the extraction of peat and its prominent use in gardening. The amount of peat and its linked emissions in the flowerpot is matched with the number of sunflowers needed to absorb the CO2.