Peat soils present very unique physical and chemical properties particularly in terms of porosity, water-holding capacity, and organic matter content. Furthermore, peat soils and peatlands are the most efficient terrestrial ecosystems storing carbon, efficiently sequestering and accumulating carbon for thousands of years. Peatlands are very important for biodiversity conservation and water regulation. Field studies related to peat hydrology and ecology are extensive during the last century (Weber, 1902, 1908; Boatman and Tomlinson, 1973; Glaser et al., 1981; Clymo, 1984; Hobbs, 1986); however, many aspects of peatland science are still very much uncertain. In that regard, although some controversy exists regarding the effect that changes in global temperature and rainfall regime (i.e., global warming) may induce in peatland’s carbon storage, most predictions foresee a negative impact due to the accelerating rate of degradation in peat and the release of stored carbon in the form of greenhouse gases. Past climate changes over the last 15,000 years visible in the soil record support this conjecture. Furthermore, some current changes are already apparent as well in certain peatlands such as those affected by permafrost melting or desertification. Given the projected major changes in temperature and precipitation anticipated under climate change scenarios, it is critical that we achieve a better understanding of the effects of such changes on the carbon dynamics of peat soils and particularly in terms of greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere.
