Effect of Peatland Rewetting on Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Peat Fires in Moscow Oblast

Based on the MODIS satellite data and the database of the Institute of Forest Science of the Russian Academy of Sciences, we have determined the areas of peat fires occurred in Moscow oblast from 2001 to 2023. The peat fires were mainly located in disturbed peatlands where peat extraction had been carried out. We have assessed greenhouse gas emissions from these fires before and after a large-scaled peatland rewetting project was implemented in the region. The calculation of emissions for the 1535 ha Radovitsky Moss pilot site showed that after its rewetting in 2010, the amount of emissions decreased by 34 t CO2-eq/(ha year). The developed methodological approach can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of climate projects.