Lowlandpeat3
In England, lowland peat under agriculture occupies an estimated 243kha, and is responsible for 8.52Mt carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e) emissions each year (1990-2019 reported figures, 2021); representing 88% of the country’s total emissions from peat. Due in large parts to historic and ongoing drainage, lowland peatlands provide some of the country’s most fertile soils with capacity for high water retention, which can support highly productive arable, horticultural and livestock farming systems. Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from cultivated lowland peatlands could generate significant emissions savings, contributing to the Government’s emission target of net zero by 2050. Read more>>
Project aims
This project aims to develop our understanding of the feasibility and net impacts of changing lowland peat management practices in England. Management practices of interest (although not limited to) include:
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Raising water table levels (permanently and dynamically);
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Irrigation methods;
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Applying mulches;
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Regenerative agriculture techniques.
Project outputs will be used to improve the Government’s understanding of viable management options for lowland peat; help design policies for peatland management; and consider the net impacts of restoring lowland peatlands. Recognising the need to balance implications for carbon and climate, food and farming, biodiversity, floods and water, we will use the project outputs to inform different solutions which can be rolled-out in combination at a landscape-scale.
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For more information visit https://lowlandpeat.ceh.ac.uk/lowlandpeat3