The vulnerability of tropical peatlands to oil and gas exploration and extraction

Tropical peatlands store globally significant quantities of carbon and are ecologically culturally important, but little is known about their vulnerability to oil gas exploration extraction. Here, we analyse the exposure tropical activities petroleum industry review what sensitivity these activities. We find that 8.3% (107,000 km 2 ) total area overlaps with a 30-km buffer around infrastructure. Major areas overlap include Sumatra Basin (Indonesia), Niger Delta (Nigeria) Putumayo-Oriente-Marañón (Peru/Ecuador/Colombia). Documented environmental impacts deforestation habitat loss associated development fields, contamination from spills produced water (well brine). Peatlands, ecosystem services they provide, sensitive due unique aspects ecology hydrology, easy spread by flowing water, long-term storage contaminants in peat, slow degradation under anoxic, waterlogged conditions. Given potential negative consequences for human health, resource security, biodiversity, storage, propose research agenda provide an improved evidence base support effective governance.