turberas

Turberas are waterlogged ecosystems where peat accumulates over long periods as plant material decomposes slowly in anoxic, oxygen-poor conditions. The resulting peat layers create a spongy landscape that stores large amounts of carbon and supports specialized communities.

There are several forms of turberas. Ombrotrophic or bog-like turberas receive most of their nutrients from precipitation and tend to be acidic with low mineral input. Minerotrophic or fen-like turberas are fed by groundwater and surface water that bring minerals, supporting different plant communities. In some regions peats build up to form raised bogs, which rise above surrounding terrain, while others form blanket patterns over wide areas.

Ecologically, turberas host distinctive flora and fauna adapted to nutrient-poor, acidic conditions. Sphagnum mosses often dominate, contributing to acidity and moisture retention, with accompanying species such as cotton grasses and certain cranberry species. The waterlogged peat also preserves pollen and other materials, making turberas valuable archives for palaeoenvironmental research.

Environmental and climatic significance is high because peatlands store a large share of soil carbon relative to their area. Disturbance from drainage, peat extraction, or fire can shift turberas from carbon sinks to sources, releasing carbon dioxide and methane through increased decomposition and oxidation.

Conservation and restoration efforts aim to protect hydrology, rewet degraded areas, and promote natural peatland vegetation, including Sphagnum. Many turberas are protected by national laws or international agreements due to their ecological, climatic, and hydrological importance.