Peatlands of Southern South America: a review

CAROLINA RODRÍGUEZ; VERÓNICA PANCOTTO; MARÍA FRANCISCA DIAZ; LEONARDO FERNÁNDEZ; DMITRI MAUQUOY; CAROLINA A. LEÓN; RODOLFO ITURRASPE; ALFONSO BENÍTEZ-MORA; CHRISTEL OBERPAUR; ROY MACKENZIE; CLAUDIA SILVA; MARVIN GABRIEL; ADOLFINA SAVORETTI; ARIEL VALDÉS; ERWIN DOMINGUEZ; THOMAS ROLAND

Mires and Peat

International Mire Conservation Group, International Peatland Society

Año: 2021

1819-754X

Southern South American peatlands (SSAP) play a key role in the ecological dynamics of Patagonia, as they are pristine ecosystems that provide important ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration, water reservoir and habitat for endemic organisms. When compared with boreal peatlands, our knowledge of the functioning of SSAP is poor, and it is necessary to raise awareness about their scientific and ecological value and to ensure their conservation. This article examines a broad base of historical and contemporary published research literature on the peatlands of Chile and Argentina, from 1843 onwards, to identify gaps in knowledge, implications for the assessment of peatland functioning, and targets for peatland conservation and management. To achieve this goal, we reviewed a total of 177 research papers/reports from across the peer-reviewed and grey literature. Gaps in our knowledge and understanding of SSAP have deeply undermined the development of effective conservation strategies for these understudied ecosystems. In order to develop successful conservation strategies, we recommend that future research and management efforts should be made on: establishing spatial inventories; ensuring land use planning prioritizes the maintenance of SSAP ecosystem services; and, carrying out an extensive awareness campaign aimed at the local population and key decision makers.