This project deals with relevant environmental issues. Peatlands provide important ecological, economic, social and cultural benefits. They are important in combating and mitigating climate change. Intact peatlands are effectively a permanent carbon store, one of the most carbon-rich ecosystems in the terrestrial world, storing twice as much carbon as all the world's forests. In addition, peatlands are home to many unique and endangered species, support the water cycle, control pollution and sediment, provide a source of locally sourced produce, and exist as a source of inspiration for art, religion, and other cultural values.
During the project, the intelligent PeatSense characterization and monitoring system is being developed, based on remote monitoring technologies and artificial intelligence, with complex functionality: characterization of the peat layer; assessment of the hydrological condition of wetlands and peatlands; assessment of the vegetation condition of wetlands and peatlands. After the implementation of the project, a new peatland monitoring service will be provided to the market, which will be used by land owners, institutions controlling and/or inventorying land use, public organizations, scientific institutions.
It is important not only to preserve and restore peatlands, but also to continuously monitor, refine and identify them. Peatland conservation issues are increasingly relevant and are integral to many national and international conventions and policies aimed at protecting habitats, biodiversity and carbon stocks and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This shows that the identification, assessment, restoration, management and monitoring of peatlands is very important for all stakeholders.