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Restored wetlands reap benefits for climate, drought-resilience after just one year: study
https://www.rmit.edu.au/news/all-news/2025/jul/wetlandsRestored wetlands reap benefits for climate, drought-resilience after just one year: study
Reviving floodplain wetlands slashes carbon emissions by 39% and restores critical ecosystem functions in one year – without the methane spike typically seen in restored peatlands, a new study has found.
17 July 2025
Peatlands are known as top carbon sinks, but can produce up to 530% more methane after restoration, potentially offsetting short-term climate benefits.
Whereas floodplain, or riparian wetlands, which comprise over half of global wetlands, are often overlooked due to their lower carbon storage.
Now a new study in the Journal of Environmental Management reveals restored floodplain wetlands can recover within a year and show substantial ecosystem benefits rapidly.
New evidence of rapid and lasting benefits
Study lead author Dr Lukas Schuster from RMIT University’s Centre for Nature Positive Solutions said the scale and pace of ecosystem benefits revealed within just one year of restoration provide a clear case for action.
…
Reviving floodplain wetlands slashes carbon emissions by 39% and restores critical ecosystem functions in one year – without the methane spike typically seen in restored peatlands, a new study has found.
17 July 2025
Peatlands are known as top carbon sinks, but can produce up to 530% more methane after restoration, potentially offsetting short-term climate benefits.
Whereas floodplain, or riparian wetlands, which comprise over half of global wetlands, are often overlooked due to their lower carbon storage.
Now a new study in the Journal of Environmental Management reveals restored floodplain wetlands can recover within a year and show substantial ecosystem benefits rapidly.
New evidence of rapid and lasting benefits
Study lead author Dr Lukas Schuster from RMIT University’s Centre for Nature Positive Solutions said the scale and pace of ecosystem benefits revealed within just one year of restoration provide a clear case for action.
…
Lukas Schuster, Stacey Trevathan-Tackett, Paul Carnell, Kay Morris, Bryan Mole, Martino E. Malerba, Restoring riparian wetlands for carbon and nitrogen benefits and other critical ecosystem functions, Journal of Environmental Management, Volume 391, 2025, 126433, ISSN 0301-4797, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.126433.
(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301479725024090)