| Abstract |
Over 50% of the 1 million ha of bog areas in Ukraine have been drained. Contact with oxygen leads to peat decomposition which in turn has a considerable negative impact on the climate. By waterlogging bog areas again, further greenhouse gas emissions can be prevented. However, this approach is not yet much used in Ukraine. Within the framework of this project, at least 20,000 ha of degraded bog areas are to be renaturalised. Moreover, parts of the newly waterlogged areas are to be integrated into protected areas to support Ukraine’s ambitious nature conservation program. The newly waterlogged bog areas will not only be of benefit with regard to the climate but also with regard to enhancing biological diversity. The use of biomass and other measures in these newly waterlogged areas can also contribute to improving the incomes of the local population. The establishment of a sustainable financing mechanism is to serve as an incentive for the Ukrainian government to continue to waterlog bog areas once the project has been concluded. Waterlogging also helps to reduce the negative health impact of fires on drained bog areas as these release radioactivity from the Chernobyl accident. |
