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© IG Moorschutz
The following graphic illustrates the environmental balance of mires and peat soils: In natural mires, the groundwater level is close to the surface and peat is formed in the absence of oxygen. The vegetation removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which turns the mire into a carbon sink.
The graphic shows the carbon fluxes in natural mires.
(Source: data from Lopez 2017)
© Moorstrategie Österreich 2030+
Mires are among the most important water reservoirs in the landscape. They form where water assembles near the surface, making them key sites for the landscape water balance. Mires that are not yet severely damaged retain water from precipitation and snowmelt. They store the water like a sponge and return it to the surrounding air through evaporation or slowly release it to the receiving waters. This is of high relevance in the case of extreme weather events that are becoming more frequent due to climate change. As natural retention areas, mires help to mitigate floods and droughts.
