Peatland recovery in the UK: a systems-based management framework for integrating carbon balance, hydrological function, and landscape stability

Peatlands are critical ecosystems accounting for 12% of the UK’s land cover and storing over three billion tonnes of carbon. Beyond their role in climate regulation, they offer vital services such as water filtration, flood mitigation, and enhanced biodiversity. However, a legacy of drainage, land conversion, and peat extraction has left most UK peatlands degraded, converting carbon sinks into emission sources and destabilizing landscapes and their service functions. This paper presents a systems-based framework for sustainable peatland management, integrating carbon balance, hydrological function, and land stability. Drawing from recent literature, spatial data, and case studies, we highlight how intact peatlands contribute to geomorphological resilience and water quality, while degraded sites intensify carbon emissions and subsidence risks. We explore how remote sensing, ground-based monitoring, and modelling tools can direct adaptive restoration. The study also examines policy gaps and governance fragmentation across UK regions, emphasizing the need for coordinated, interdisciplinary, and locally co-produced solutions. Our findings argue for a shift from carbon-focused interventions to multifunctional strategies that align climate goals with ecological and social outcomes. By embedding peatland restoration in national adaptation plans, supporting data-driven governance, and engaging diverse stakeholders, the UK can transform degraded peatlands into resilient, service-rich landscapes essential for a sustainable future.