WET HORIZONS concludes with new tools for wetland restoration across Europe
After four years of research, the EU-funded WET HORIZONS project has delivered new tools to help policymakers, landowners and farmers make informed decisions about wetland restoration. The aim is to support biodiversity, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase resilience to drought.
Wetlands and peatlands are among Europe's most valuable ecosystems. They provide habitat for biodiversity, store vast amounts of carbon and help regulate water supplies. Yet, decades of drainage and land conversion have left fewer than 20 percent of Europe's wetlands in an intact condition.
At the same time, the need to restore these ecosystems is becoming increasingly urgent. More frequent droughts and extreme weather events are putting pressure on both nature and society, while rewetted wetlands can help retain water in the landscape and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
These challenges have been at the heart of the WET HORIZONS project, which is now coming to an end after four years of collaboration between research institutions and stakeholders across Europe.
Turning research into decision support
One of the project's main achievements is the development of practical decision-support tools for wetland restoration. The tools bring together knowledge on greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity impacts, socio-economic factors and restoration costs.
According to Professor Shubiao Wu from Aarhus University's Department of Agroecology, the tools can help decision-makers better understand the benefits of restoring wetlands:
“WET HORIZONS helps decision-makers evaluate how wetland restoration can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance biodiversity and create benefits for society.”
The tools are built on a comprehensive database developed by the project consortium, bringing together knowledge and data from across Europe to support evidence-based restoration planning.
Practical support for landowners and farmers
A key objective of WET HORIZONS has been to ensure that scientific knowledge can be applied in practice. The project's tools allow landowners and farmers to explore different restoration scenarios and assess the environmental and economic implications for their land.
By providing easy access to information on costs, benefits and potential outcomes, the tools can support more informed decisions about rewetting drained peatlands and wetlands.
Multiple benefits from wetland restoration
Restoring wetlands is not only about protecting nature. Successful restoration can simultaneously contribute to climate change mitigation, biodiversity recovery and improved water management. Rewetted landscapes are often better able to withstand both droughts and floods, making them an important part of Europe's climate adaptation efforts.
The researchers behind WET HORIZONS believe that wetland restoration will play a crucial role in Europe's transition towards a more sustainable and climate-resilient future.
Watch the video: The Wetland Comeback: Europe's Race to Save its Wetlands
To mark the completion of the project, a new film showcases the importance of wetlands for climate, biodiversity and water resources, while highlighting the solutions and tools developed through WET HORIZONS.
https://youtu.be/hvMnU3EdFaI?si=wqsGXtISOWJFG6wE
About WET HORIZONS
- Horizon Europe project running from 2022 to 2026
- Coordinated by Aarhus University
- Total budget: €5.56 million
- Focused on improving the protection and restoration of European wetlands and peatlands
- Supporting biodiversity, climate action and sustainable land management
- Read more her: https://www.wethorizons.eu/
Contact
Professor Shubiao Wu, Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University. Tel.: +4593522758 or E-mail: wushubiao@agro.au.dk