Peatlands are some of the most important carbon stores in the world. They contain nearly 30% of all carbon on the land, while only covering 3% of the land area. Peatland ecosystems contain disproportionately more organic carbon than other terrestrial  ecosystems. Peatlands are the top long term carbon store in the terrestrial biosphere and - next to oceanic deposits - Earth's second most important store. Peatland have accumulated and stored this carbon over thousands of years, and since the last Ice Age peatlands have played an important role in global greenhouse gas balances by sequestering an enormous amount of atmospheric CO₂. Peatland in many regions are still actively aequesterign carbon. However the delicate balance between production and decay easily causes peatlands to become carbon sources following human interventions. Anthropogenic diturbances (especially drainage and fires) have led to massive carbon losses from peatland stores and generated a significant contribution to global anthropogenic CO2 emissions. Peatland restoration is an effective way to maintain the coarbon storage of peatlands and to re-initiate carbon sequestration.