Peatland diversity in Belizean wetlands and the challenges of greenhouse gas reporting

Abstract Despite the important climate change mitigation and adaptation benefits, including carbon storage and hydrological regulation that they provide, peatlands in the Caribbean are poorly characterized and increasingly under threat. Here we provide a first-time national assessment of peatlands in Belize. They cover approximately 6% of the land area and store around 165Mt of carbon. The marine-terrestrial system includes mangrove peatlands and the terrestrial-freshwater system is formed by open peatlands (sedges and grasses) and peat swamp forest. The oldest peatlands, in coastal sites (cayes), are characterized by over 800 cm of peat and started to grow around 7500 CalBP, concordant with regional sea-level stabilization. Coarse stratigraphic observations indicate most peatlands started as mangroves, some of which transitioned into open peatlands and peat swamp forests. The transitions are likely caused by rising peat accumulations over the tidal influence. Only ~ 29% of peatlands in Belize are within protected areas, which leaves many peatlands threatened by land conversion and drainage; particularly the case in coastal areas. Belize is one of the first Caribbean countries to include peatlands in its NDCs. However, due to the mosaic nature of its peatlands, reporting under the IPCC guidelines represents a challenge for the country and the region.