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Title: Vietnam - Framework for Vietnam Sub-Components
Date: 24-Apr-2006
Category: Vietnam
Description: Framework for Vietnam Sub-Components

Peatlands cover an estimated 400 million hectares or 3% of the land and freshwater surface of the planet. In these ecosystems are found an estimated one third of the world's soil carbon and 10% of global freshwater resources (IMCG and IPS 2001).

These ecosystems are global leaders in accumulating and storing organic carbon as dead plant matter, commonly from moss, sedge, reed and tree species, as peat, under conditions of almost permanent water saturation. Peatlands are recognised as an essential component of wetland resources, and are now known to be the most widespread of all wetland types in the world, representing 50 to 70% of all global wetlands (Maltby and Turner 1983; Mitsch et al. 1994; Finlayson and Spiers 1999).

Peat-forming wetlands are important ecosystems for a wide range of wildlife habitats supporting biological diversity and species at risk, freshwater quality and hydrological integrity, carbon storage and sequestration, and geochemical and paleoenvironmental archives. Peatlands also play a significant role in the regulation of greenhouse gas emission and global climate. Additionally, it has many important functions and values including water regulation, extraordinary biodiversity, and a source of livehoods for many communities. Peat is an important characteristic of an ecosystem and peatland preservation is an important aspect of ecosystem protection.

During past decates, large areas of peatlands have been cleard and drainaged for agriculture and forestry. Drainage for resource production continues as the most important factor impacting peatlands, both globally and locally. Human pressures and their activities affect peatlands directly through drainage, land conversion, excavation, inundation and visitor pressure, and indirectly as a result of air pollution, water contamination, compaction through water removal, and infrastructure development.

The range and importance of the diverse functions, services and resources provided by peatlands are declining with the increases in human demand for use of these ecosystems and their natural resources (IMCG and IPS 2001). Peatlands have therefore declined in all areas of the world through human activities, particularly by drainage for agriculture and forestry. Nevertheless, severe losses and degradation of peatlands has occurred in some areas.

 

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