The document discusses the Global Peatland Map and Hotspot Atlas initiative in Tanzania, which aims to compile and update spatial data on peatlands worldwide. It emphasizes a comprehensive approach through both top-down and bottom-up methods, integrating over 200 datasets while identifying significant regions requiring further mapping. The final output will include various thematic maps outlining peatland distribution, land use, threats, and ecosystem services, which will serve decision-makers and researchers.

1. Global Peatland Map & Hotspot Atlas

2. Tanzania 2019
• Global Peatland Database started in the 1990s as a
project of the IMCG (collation of peatland
information)
• since 2012 extension to spatial data ("Global
Peatland Map")
• 2020/21 IKI "Global Peatland Initiative" project
triggered main map update
• 'globally' means 'everywhere' (not restricted to
the 'global scale', but covering all scales)
• 'mapping' includes multiple data sources and
types, and methods
• includes data on peatlands, organic soils, histosols
and indicative proxies
Papua New Guinea;
Felix Beer 2018
Global Peatland Database ('GPD') -
mapping and documenting peatlands
globally

3. Global Peatland Map 2.0
aims
• to cover all important peatland regions
globally (at least indicative with focus on
[Sub-]Tropics and southern hemisphere)
• to check input datasets on its accuracy
completeness and plausibility
• to maintain a high level of transparency by
supplementary maps and extensive meta-
data
…tropical setting in
which peatlands
may occur

4. „Top-down“ process
Remote sensing/
modelling driven
prediction of global
peat extent
0
Global Peatland Map 2.0
methods & coverage
Peat-ML
(Melton et al. 2022)

5. „Top-down“ process
Remote sensing/
modelling driven
prediction of global
peat extent
0 0
Aggregation of
national, regional,
and local datasets for
global peat extent
„Bottom-up“ process
Global Peatland Map 2.0
methods & coverage
• “Bottom up” aggregation of >200 datasets
indicating global peatlands, organic soils and
suitable proxy data (if no peat or organic soil
data available)
Global Peatland Map 2.0

6. Global Peatland Map 2.0
methods & coverage
• “Bottom up” aggregation of >200 datasets
indicating global peatlands, organic soils and
suitable proxy data (if no peat or organic soil
data available)
• integrating vast amount of different input
data combined with landscape and peatland
ecological knowledge and ancillary GIS data
(e.g. DEM)
• using generic peatland definition
• using data from all scales

7. - download of 1x1 km grid: https://nextcloud.uni-greifswald.de/index.php/s/s7Ln5QKxdQG5aaA
- regional higher resolution GIS data and other content in the GPD is available on demand
- will be further updated and enhanced under Global Peatland Database
Global Peatland Map 2.0

8. Global Peatland Map 2.0
peatland indication
'peat', 'organic soil' and 'histosol' largely dominating

9. Central
Madagascar
• depicts global hotspots of peatland distribution more
complete
• improves peatland data for many tropical countries
• builds on a huge amount of regional peatland knowledge
(e.g. through 40 years of information collation and >100
UNEP GPA 2022 authors and peatland scientists)
However:
⮚ many regions and countries still have to be accurately
and comprehensively mapped to guide regional and local
action → national efforts and simplified mapping
methods may be needed
⮚ the manifold smaller peatlands can not be depicted in a
global map with 1x1 km grid size
Global Peatland Map 2.0

10. Global Peatland Map 2.0 in the 2022 UNEP Global Peatlands Assessment
We contributed maps on e.g.,
• regional peatland distribution
• hotspots of land use and ecosystem
services on global and continental scale
→ through overlay of the Global
Peatland Map 2.0 with global thematic
spatial layers
peatland map for Asia

11. GPM 2.0
thematic global layer(s)
Peatland related Thematic Hotspot Maps in the UNEP GPA (2022)
The final quality of this product is dependent on the quality of the
input data sets → hotspot maps are not perfect!
transferred
into
point
data
calculated
hotspots
with
Kernel
density
estimation
(ArcGIS)
„Heat Map“ as graphical representation of a
point density distribution.

12. Hotspots of cropland on peatlands in Europe
Peatland related Thematic Hotspot Maps in the UNEP GPA (2022)
We derived global hotspot maps
of land use, threats and ecosystem
services globally and continental.

13. populates places roads
oils & gas deposits mining
Peatland related Thematic Hotspot Maps in the UNEP GPA (2022)
We derived global hotspot maps
of land use, threats and ecosystem
services globally and continental.
Hotspots of population pressure and
infrastructure on peatlands

14. Hotspots of low and high forest
integrity in Latin America
high forest
integrity
low forest
integrity
Peatland related Thematic Hotspot Maps in the UNEP GPA (2022)
We derived global hotspot maps
of land use, threats and ecosystem
services globally and continental.

15. Many Hotspot maps from UNEP GPA (2022) have been
revised for the upcoming Global Peatland Hotspot Atlas!
Hotspot maps will be accompanied by pictures, graphs and
texts explaining thematic content and thus enhance map
understanding and usability!
Preliminary Content
Map 1.1 - Aim and purpose of the Atlas
Map 1.2 - The Global Peatland Map 2.0
Map 1.3 - The Global Distribution of Peatlands
Map 1.4 - Peatlands within Global Climate Zones (Köppen-Geiger)
Map 1.5 - Peatlands & Biodiversity
Map 1.6 - Peatlands & Protection
Map 1.7 - Peatlands & Permafrost
Map 1.8 – Mountain Peatlands globally
Map 1.9 – Peatlands in arid and sub-arid climates
Map 2.1 - Peatlands of Africaa
Map 2.2 - Peatlands of Asia
Map 2.3 - Peatlands of Europe
Map 2.4 - Peatlands of Latin America and the Caribbean
Map 2.5 - Peatlands of North America
Map 2.6 - Peatlands of Oceania
Map 3.1 - Global Peatland Drainage & Degradation
Map 3.2 - Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Peatlands
Map 3.3 - Traffic routes on peatlands
Map 3.4 - Agriculture on peatlands
Map 3.5 - Urbanisation & peatlands
Map 3.6 - Mining, oil & gas deposits on peatlands
Map 3.7 - Flood events, Flooding risk, Subsidence & peatlands
Map 3.8 - Fire & Peatlands
ANNEX Methods and References
Global Peatland Hotspot Atlas - The State of the World’s Peatlands in
Maps
(launch UNFCCC COP 29)

16. Hotspot
Atlas
teaser

17. Hotspot
Atlas
teaser

18. Hotspot
Atlas
teaser

19. Tanzania
…final thoughts
❖ All maps produced under the GPI-IKI process can be useful
for decision-makers, the research community, and the
general public to understand peatlands visually.
❖ However, many regions and countries (esp. in the South
still have to be comprehensively and accurately mapped for
peatlands to guide locale action.
❖ Peatland interest, research and information is increasing!
❖ Collaboration brings knowledge together :)

20. greifswaldmoor.de
Thank you & looking forward to collaborate on Global Peatlands!
THANKS to the GPD-TEAM 2021