Lowland Peat 3: The options, feasibility and impact of managing lowland peat for reduced greenhouse gas emissions

DatesJanuary 2024-February 2027
SponsorDefra
Funded拢390K to 星空体育官网
PartnersUK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (Lead), Jacobs, Rigare Ltd, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool University, Bristol University, Harper Adams University, Cambridge University, ADAS, FenlandSOIL, Farming and Wildlife Advisory GroupSouthwest, NIAB, Bangor University, RSPB

Lowland agricultural peats cover about 1.5% of the UK but produce about 3% of the UK's total greenhouse gas emissions due to peat wastage induced by drainage. This project aims to understand the opportunities, challenges and co-benefits of changing lowland peat management to raise watertables and reduce emissions, thereby informing policy aimed at meeting Carbon Budget 6 (CB6) and the Government鈥檚 2050 net zero target.

The project's four work packages (WPs) combine data analysis, modelling, plot and field-scale experiments, and stakeholder engagement:

WP1: Assessment of how much water is required to re-wet the lowlands, whether this water is available, and where it will come from [Lead: Jacobs]
WP2: Assessment of the impact of topography on the feasibility of raising water tables [Lead: 星空体育官网]
WP3: Assessment of how peatland emissions vary depending on management models [Lead: UKCEH]
WP4: Assessment of the impact on food systems if lowland peat is taken out of production [Lead: NIAB]

Progress update

We have carried out a regional assessment of current and potential future greenhouse gas emissions from lowland peatlands in the Broads National Park using the new England Peat Map.