UDTR Global Rights of Nature Radar

African tropical peatlands: function, value and vulnerability

Identification

Public canonical key

radar:r-02eec2ba625d56fb67567ba56ee6cdb2

Authors

Simon L. Lewis · Suspense Ifo · Angela V. Gallego-Sala · Susan E. Page · Christopher Schulz · Jenny Farmer · Raphael Muamba Tshimanga

Reported year

2026

Reported language

en

Source type

article

First detected

2026-11-14T02:38:33.566794+00:00

Last metadata observation

2026-11-14T02:38:33.566794+00:00

Last HTTP verification

Not checked

Institutions reported by the source

University of Leeds · University College London · Marien Ngouabi University · University of Exeter · University of Leicester · University of St Andrews · University of Aberdeen · Newcastle University · University of Kinshasa

Reported affiliation countries

CD · CG · GB

Documentary abstract — original language

Abstract Peatlands are some of the most carbon-dense ecosystems on Earth, and Africa houses the world's largest tropical peatland complex covering 16.7 million hectares of the central Congo Basin. Yet, the peatlands of Africa are neglected ecosystems. In this special issue, we begin to rectify this scientific ignorance. We present 16 reports, two reviews and 14 papers presenting original research findings, building on the first-ever conference on African peatlands held on 17 and 18 February 2025 in London. These cover what we know of the presence of peatlands in Africa, identifying three broad classes (coastal peatlands, lowland interior peatlands, and higher-altitude peatlands); newly confirmed peatlands in Angola; new findings on the long-term development of the central Congo peatlands; the first study of insect biodiversity in the central Congo peatlands; work on the threats to African peatlands from both land use and climate change; and social science studies on how local communities are utilizing and managing African peatlands. We conclude with a call for African and international scientists to work in equal partnerships to better understand these valuable yet vulnerable ecosystems. A French translation of this abstract is available in the supplementary material. This article is part of the discussion meeting issue ‘African tropical peatlands: function, value and vulnerability’.

Identifiers

OPENALEX

https://openalex.org/W7203771381

DOI

10.1098/rstb.2024.0475

Documentary context

Documentary family

article

Source-reported types

article

Publishers

Royal Society

Entity mentions are not evidence of legal recognition. Jurisdiction studied is separate from author affiliation country.

Sources

OpenAlex · Record 1

• Document · https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2024.0475

Documentary status

Relevance pending

Library

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