WaterLANDS: A Database of Carbon Stocks, GHG Fluxes and Biodiversity Indicators in Restored European Wetlands

Motivation

Wetland restoration is expected to play an important role in helping Europe achieve its climate and biodiversity targets as stated in the European Green Deal. Restored wetlands sequester atmospheric carbon and provide habitat for a wide range of plant and animal species. To design effective, evidence-based restoration targets and guide future projects, it is critical to understand the impacts of wetland restoration on a diverse range of ecosystem functions. Existing knowledge, however, is scattered across empirical studies assessing restoration outcomes on a limited set of indicators, in specific settings and single locations. This fragmentation limits our ability to assess the effectiveness of wetland restoration across different indicators and contexts. To address this gap, we present a comprehensive dataset on the effects of wetland restoration across Europe. The dataset compiles 2534 entries representing changes in carbon stocks, greenhouse gases (GHG) fluxes, and biodiversity indicators across different wetland types, pre-restoration land use and restoration strategies. The database allows comparisons between restored and both degraded and pristine sites.

Main Types of Variables

The database contains data on carbon stock, GHG fluxes and biodiversity indicators in restored and control wetlands, with standard error, sampling methodology, wetland type, location, climate, restored site area, water table depth, soil characteristics, pre-restoration land use, time since restoration started, and restoration strategy.

Spatial Location and Grain

Europe.

Time Period and Grain

Original data were published between 2000 and 2024. Restoration age ranges from a few months to 139 years.

Major Indicators and Level of Measurement

Carbon stocks, GHG fluxes and biodiversity indicators in restored wetlands and two controls: degraded and pristine sites.