There are several gaps in our
knowledge of the carbon cycle in peatlands under
change, such as: how the amounts and quality
parameters of litter inputs change in different peatland
sites after short- and long-term change in the
water level; and how the litters produced by the
successional vegetation communities decompose
under the changed environmental conditions following
persistent lowering of the water level in the long
term (Laiho 2006). Protecting and restoring peatlands
is also critical to maintaining the biodiversity and
hydrological functions they provide.