RMIT University: Restored wetlands reap benefits for climate, drought-resilience after just one year: study
- Global Research Partnerships
- Jul 17
- 2 min read
Reviving floodplain wetlands slashes carbon emissions by 39% and restores critical ecosystem functions in one year – without the methane spike typically seen in restored peatlands, a new study has found.
Peatlands are known as top carbon sinks, but can produce up to 530% more methane after restoration, potentially offsetting short-term climate benefits. Whereas floodplain, or riparian wetlands, which comprise over half of global wetlands, are often overlooked due to their lower carbon storage.
Now a new study in the Journal of Environmental Management reveals restored floodplain wetlands can recover within a year and show substantial ecosystem benefits rapidly.
Study lead author Dr Lukas Schuster from RMIT University's Centre for Nature Positive Solutions said the scale and pace of ecosystem benefits revealed within just one year of restoration provide a clear case for action. "Restoring wetlands could be a secret weapon against climate change," he said. "We found managing freshwater wetlands for carbon benefits also boosts flood and drought resilience, highlighting the dual benefits of restoration."
While rewetting and revegetation reduced carbon emissions by 39%, net carbon emissions from the unrestored control wetlands increased by 169% over the monitoring period. Surface organic carbon stocks, where carbon is stored in plant roots and soil, increased by 12% within one year in restored sites and decreased by 10% in control sites, showing the difference in carbon sequestration potential.
Restored wetlands retained more water in the area, with soil moisture levels increasing by 55%, even after the wetlands themselves had dried, showing drought mitigation potential. Schuster said increased water retention was linked to improved surface carbon storage in freshwater wetlands.
"We observed a vital link between carbon dynamics and ecosystem function," he said. "Wetlands are nature's purification system, removing nitrogen from waterways and carbon from the atmosphere. Now we know even more about the important role they play and how quickly their recovery can be, it's time to act."
