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How can farming and draining peatlands reduce carbon stored in soils?

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A labeled diagram of the periodic table entry for carbon, showing its atomic number 6, symbol C, electron configuration, atomic weight range, solid physical state, hexagonal crystal structure, and weakly acidic oxide properties. Color coding and icons indicate it is a nonmetal, solid at room temperature, with hexagonal structure and weak acidity. — carbon Carbon and its properties.

Peatlands act as the largest natural terrestrial carbon store because they are typically waterlogged, creating anaerobic (oxygen-poor) conditions that prevent the complete decomposition of organic matter.1

Farming and draining these lands disrupt this natural balance in the following ways:

Introduction of Oxygen: Draining peatlands removes the water that protects organic matter from decay. This introduces oxygen into the soil, creating aerobic conditions that stimulate fungal and microbial activity.1
Accelerated Decomposition: Once oxygen is present, these microbes rapidly decompose the organic material that was previously preserved. This process converts the stored carbon into carbon dioxide (CO $_{2}$ ), which is then released into the atmosphere.12
Disruption of Carbon Sequestration: By damaging these ecosystems, human activities transform a vital carbon sink into a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to global warming.12

Because peatlands sequester more carbon than all other vegetation types combined, their protection is considered critical for mitigating climate change.1