Virginia re-wet a swamp across 150 miles of old ditches; peat traps 200,000 tonnes of carbon

The Fish and Wildlife Service restored peat wetlands at Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge North Carolina’s coastal peatlands are being restored to protect wetlands, reduce wildfire risks and keep carbon stored in the soil. The work is focused on bringing water back to areas that were once drained and altered for farming, timber harvesting and other uses.Peatlands are wetlands whose soils contain large amounts of partly decayed organic matter. They cover only about 3% of the Earth’s surface but store more than twice as much carbon as all the world’s forests, according to The Nature Conservancy. When peat remains wet, it can hold carbon in the soil. But when it dries, it becomes highly flammable and can release large amounts of carbon dioxide when it burns.This makes water management a key part of conservation in coastal North Carolina. Nature-based solutions can improve wildlife habitat while also helping nearby communities through better water quality, recreation and reduced risks from floods and other climate-related threats.One major focus is the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in the Albemarle-Pamlico Peninsula. The refuge is one of nine national wildlife refuge...