In July, the Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity (KCBD) published the report "Ecological characterisation of peatlands and coastal lagoons in Europe". The report responds to a policy request submitted by European Commission’s Directorate-General for Environment (DG ENV) through the KCBD’s Ticketing System for policy requests. KCBD mobilised the Science Service for Biodiversity (SSBD) through the BioAgora project, with scientific support and review from colleagues at the Knowledge Centre on Earth Observation (KCEO).

European wetlands, including peatlands and coastal lagoons, are among the continent's most valuable ecosystems, providing essential services such as carbon storage, biodiversity conservation, water regulation and climate resilience. At the same time, they are also among the most threatened. Over the past century, up to 80% of European wetlands have been lost, while more than half of Europe's peatlands have been drained or degraded.

The report identifies hydrology as the primary driver of ecosystem functioning, demonstrating how drainage, land-use change and nutrient enrichment can trigger cascading - and often irreversible - ecosystem degradation. In peatlands, these pressures can transform major carbon sinks into significant sources of greenhouse gas emissions.

A key finding is that no single indicator is sufficient to assess ecosystem condition. Instead, effective ecological assessment requires integrated, multi-scale monitoring approaches that combine Earth Observation with in situ measurements. Such approaches are essential for accurately evaluating ecosystem health and tracking restoration progress.

The report provides an important scientific foundation for implementing several key EU policy instruments, including the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC), the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC), and the Nature Restoration Regulation (EU) 2024/1991. Its findings support harmonised monitoring methodologies, help prioritise restoration actions, and strengthen evidence-based environmental decision-making across Europe.