Bridging Stakeholder Narratives for Sustainable Peatland Conservation

Peatlands are among the most important terrestrial ecosystems for carbon storage, biodiversity conservation, and hydrological regulation, yet they are highly vulnerable to climate change and human-induced degradation. Despite growing international commitments to peatland restoration, conservation outcomes remain strongly dependent on stakeholder perceptions and governance contexts. This study investigates how relevant stakeholders perceive peatland ecosystem benefits and conservation in Romania, a region where peatlands are limited in extent but of high ecological significance. Using a mixed-methods approach, we triangulated data from 150 questionnaire responses, 18 semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders (local community members, scientists, and local authorities), spatial analysis of degraded peatlands, and a review of 13 international, European, and national policy documents. The results reveal three dominant stakeholder narratives shaping peatland conservation: a scientific perspective emphasizing biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration, and hydrological regulation; a utilitarian perspective focused on economic use and land productivity; and a community-based perspective highlighting cultural ecosystem services such as education, recreation, and local identity. Quantitative findings indicate strong public support for conservation, with 79.9% of respondents willing to accept restoration activities on peatland areas and 71.8% expressing willingness to participate voluntarily in restoration actions. However, major barriers persist, including lack of information and awareness, land-use restrictions and property rights conflicts, and economic constraints related to funding and compensation mechanisms. Policy analysis reveals strong international and European commitments but limited national implementation instruments dedicated specifically to peatland restoration. The study demonstrates that sustainable peatland conservation in Romania cannot rely solely on ecological restoration measures but requires integrated approaches that combine scientific knowledge, community engagement, and adaptive governance. By linking stakeholder narratives with spatial and policy analysis, this research provides evidence-based guidance for designing conservation strategies that are ecologically effective, socially legitimate, and applicable to other Eastern European contexts. This graphical abstract presents a systematic analysis of stakeholder perceptions regarding peatland conservation in Romania, employing a data triangulation approach. The visual framework progresses through five interconnected stages. Sect 1 establishes the empirical foundation, depicting 204 degraded peatlands distributed across Romania (illustrated through a stylized map), complemented by data from 150 questionnaires, 18 semi-structured stakeholder interviews, and 13 policy documents analyzed at international, European, and national levels. Section 2 illustrates the methodological framework, represented through interconnected gears symbolizing data triangulation, thematic analysis, and policy review processes used to synthesize qualitative data. Sect 3 visualizes the theoretical foundation based on the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2005) framework for cultural ecosystem services, depicted through ecosystem imagery connecting to stakeholder narratives. The central findings (Sect. 4) reveal three distinct narrative perspectives: Scientific (emphasizing ecological values, climate mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and carbon storage), Utilitarian (focusing on economic benefits, resource extraction, and productive land use), and Community-based (highlighting cultural heritage, recreation, educational value, and local identity). Critical barriers to conservation are identified, including lack of information, land-use restrictions, economic pressures, and low public awareness. Sect 5 presents the pathway toward sustainable conservation through the integration of ecological education and community engagement, demonstrating how these complementary approaches bridge diverse stakeholder narratives. This visual framework enables researchers and policymakers to understand how participatory approaches can reconcile scientific knowledge, economic realities, and cultural values in Romanian peatland management. Stakeholders in Romania perceive peatland conservation through three dominant perspectives: scientific (ecological values), utilitarian (economic value), and community-based (cultural and recreational importance). These varied perceptions highlight the complexity of balancing ecological and socio-economic priorities in conservation efforts. Major barriers to peatland conservation in Romania include lack of information, land-use restrictions, and economic pressures. These challenges underscore the need for effective communication, policy adjustments, and economic incentives to support restoration initiatives. Engaging local communities can help align conservation goals with their needs and foster sustainable management practices.