Peatlands store vast amounts of carbon in thick peat layers. However, warming temperatures may cause this carbon to escape into the atmosphere as greenhouse gases. While scientists have studied the gases released, little is known about the early steps of carbon breakdown deep in the peat. This project explores how tiny microbes—many of them dormant but still active at low levels—help degrade ancient carbon in deep peat layers. By focusing on overlooked processes like fermentation and acetogenesis, we aim to understand how these microbes contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Using advanced techniques, we will identify which microbes are active and how they respond to changing conditions. This research will help predict how peatlands behave in a warming climate and guide efforts to protect these vital ecosystems.

2026

2030