The Global Wetland Center investigates the potential of wetlands for mitigating climate change. Established by the University of Copenhagen, GEUS and DHI, with support from the Novo Nordisk Foundation, its scientific activities began on 1 January 2024.

Wetlands can help reduce carbon dioxide emissions, but rewetting these areas may also increase methane and nitrous oxide emissions –both potent greenhouse gases.

The Global Wetland Center integrates field observations, experiments, modelling, satellite data, machine learning and AI-driven technologies to examine the complex interactions between hydrology and biogeochemistry on a global scale. By developing models to quantify greenhouse gas balances, the centre aims to inform management strategies that mitigate emissions and support the transition to climate neutrality.

In August 2024, a delegation from the Global Wetland Center travelled to Trysil, Norway, to conduct field work on a rewetted and a drained peatland. A variety of activities were carried out, including soil sampling, mapping the hydrology and investigating the vegetation with manual sampling and using a drone.

These site-level investigations at Trysil and other sites are crucial for enhancing our understanding of the emission processes and emission patterns in wetlands and for calibrating and validating models, ensuring that regional and global greenhouse gas simulations accurately reflect local conditions.