A new study suggests that Angola possesses substantially more peatland than previously understood. Researchers mapped peatlands in the Angolan Highlands Water Tower (AHWT), an area crucial for storing and regulating freshwater in central Angola and supplying water systems across southern Africa, including the Okavango Basin.
The study, published in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, estimates peatlands cover between 2.28–2.94% of the AHWT. Specific mapping identified 8,662 km² (3,344 square miles) with high certainty and an additional 11,167 km² (4,311 square miles) with lower certainty.
Peatlands, known for their ability to store about one-third of the world’s soil carbon despite covering around 3% of the global land surface, are vital for freshwater regulation. In October 2025, Angola designated a 53,000 km² area within the AHWT as its first Ramsar Site, recognizing its significant role in water management.
Source: Mongabay