Recent findings revealed that alpine peatlands are more spatially extensive than previously assumed, underscoring their importance for carbon storage in alpine soils. Alpine wetlands contain lower carbon stocks than alpine peatlands but may develop into peatlands in the future. Alpine wetlands and peatlands are expected to behave differently than their lowland or Northern counterparts, but details about their hydrological, chemical and biological functioning and their stability under future climate change are largely unknown.

In this session, we welcome contributions on hydrology, biogeochemistry, microbiology, policy, and greenhouse gas fluxes at alpine peat- and wetlands. We aim to bring together scientists from different fields to bridge knowledge gaps and create connections for future collaborations. This session aims to cover the full extent of alpine water-saturated soils, including both high and low elevation sites, well-developed peat systems and proglacial wetlands, and pristine as well as human-impacted sites.