Our research team consists of seven PIs working together in a collaborative, multidisciplinary project on carbon storage and greenhouse gas balances in restored wetlands. We bring complementary expertise in organic soil science, redox biogeochemistry, microbial ecology, hydrology, and ecosystem-scale greenhouse gas flux measurements, enabling an integrated assessment of wetland restoration outcomes. We study diverse restored and relict wetland systems across Israel, subject to Mediterranean climate and strong human pressures on water resources and land use. Our aim is to determine whether these systems can function as effective carbon sinks without increasing greenhouse gas emissions, and to identify the main factors governing these outcomes. Our work integrates analyses of soil organic matter stabilization, porewater chemistry, redox-sensitive biogeochemical processes, microbial community composition and function, carbon transformation pathways, and direct field measurements of CO2, CH4, and N2O fluxes. By linking belowground biological and geochemical processes with hydrological conditions and ecosystem-scale gas exchange, we seek to develop a holistic framework for evaluating restored wetland functioning, ecological integrity, and climate-regulation potential, while identifying robust indicators for restoration monitoring and science-based wetland management. Keywords: wetland restoration, carbon cycling, biogeochemistry, greenhouse gas emissions, microbial ecology.
Biogeochemistry
Geochemistry
Geology
Hydrology
PEATFUN: We are interested in joining this project because it closely matches our current work on restored wetland functioning, carbon storage, and greenhouse gas balances. The project’s focus on indicators of restored peatland functioning and integrity is highly relevant to our interest in developing integrated approaches for evaluating restoration outcomes across wetland systems. We are particularly interested in the links between restoration, ecosystem services, sediment microbiome, and climate-regulation functions, including carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas dynamics. We see strong complementarity with PEATFUN in contributing expertise on carbon and GHG balance assessment, microbial and biogeochemical indicators, and ecosystem-level monitoring frameworks that can complement plant-based indicators of restoration success. As part of our ongoing work, we are already sampling several restored wetlands in Israel, which would allow us to contribute valuable field-based findings, comparative data, and practical restoration insights to the consortium. Joining this consortium would provide an excellent opportunity to connect our work on restored wetlands in Israel with a broader European effort to assess wetland integrity, functioning, and restoration effectiveness.