CONFERENCE
The photo exhibition includes 156 images from seven territories in three countries – Latvia, Finland and Denmark – where, within the framework of the project, peatland habitats are being restored, research is being conducted, and areas of previously restored peatlands with stabilized water levels, where nature is beginning to return, are being assessed.
Peatlands are unique ecosystems that play an important role in nature and in people's lives. Naturally occurring raised bogs are oases of natural diversity and excellent regulators of the water cycle. At the same time, on a global scale, peatlands store more carbon than forests. Drainage of peatlands is one of the factors contributing to climate change, releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere (carbon dioxide, methane) which "warm" the globe. Most of Europe's peatlands have been altered by human activity. Many peatlands have been lost irreversibly.
As a result of drainage and peat extraction, peatlands have gone from being sinks of greenhouse gases to sources of emissions. In Latvia, peatlands have also been heavily exploited by human activities. Research shows that the condition of natural peatland ecosystems continues to deteriorate. There is a need for active and immediate protection and restoration of bog ecosystems to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The LIFE PeatCarbon project is working towards these goals by restoring peatland ecosystems and using nature-based solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at 4 project sites in Latvia – Cena Mire, Lielais Pelečāre Mire, Melnais Lake Mire and Sudas-Zviedru Mire and 2 sites in Finland – Matorovansuo and Välisuo Mires.
The authors of the exhibition's photographs are Rūta Abaja-Felce, Pertti Ala-aho, Anna Autio, Pēteris Āboliņš, Jānis Bikše, Jack Chapman, Jānis Dzilna, Kristaps Ernstsons, Jenni Hultman, Sari Juutinen, Juho Karjalainen, Lauma Ķeire, Krišjānis Libauers, Jekaterīna Matuko, Diāna Nemme, Māra Pakalne, Aivars Petriņš, Aleksi Räsänen, Voldemārs Spuņģis, Līga Strazdiņa, the Municipality of Silkeborg.
We invite you to learn more about the connection between the peatlands and the climate through photo stories! The photo exhibition will be on display on the 1st floor of the UL House of Nature until March 31, after which it will travel to various cities across Latvia for several months.
The photo exhibition has been prepared within the UL LIFE PeatCarbon project. Read more about the LIFE PeatCarbon project here.
Information prepared by Māra Pakalne, Roberts Gorodko
UL LIFE PeatCarbon project
 House of Nature (Jelgavas street 1), featuring works by 20 peatland researchers. ){kind=link}