ISCF WAVE 1 AGRI TECH - Sphagnum Farming UK - a sustainable alternative to peat in growing media
Lead Research Organisation:
University of East London
Department Name: Sustainability Research Institute
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Technical Summary
Commercial extraction of peat for growing media in horticulture is unsustainable, is destroying highly valued ecosystems and having an adverse effect on landscape greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions. A sustainable alternative to commercially-valuable 'white peat' is needed to preserve peatland carbon stocks and to give the growing media industry a long-term future. This project aims to establish the principles and practicalities of growing Sphagnum moss as a commercial crop for use in horticulture and the consequences of this for GHG emissions and nutrient losses. Our partners Micropropagation Services Ltd (MPS) have developed tissue culture micropropagation of Sphagnum, which offers the potential to grow this moss on a commercial scale on re-wetted peatlands. Consortium research will use glasshouse growth trials, experimental field plots on a former peat-extraction site near Manchester, and larger field-trial plots established on agriculturalised peat near Loughborough. A detailed digital terrain model (DTM) of the various field plots will be obtained by University of East London (UEL) using terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) on the prepared ground, and a series of 'peat anchors' will provide fixed reference points to measure any subsequent swelling of the peat following re-wetting and Sphagnum crop growth and saleable volume over the project. GHG (CO2, CH4, N2O) flux rates and water chemistry will be monitored by Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) to understand the effect of different treatments on carbon balance, nutrient use and global warming potential while UEL will monitor water relations of the various plots both in terms of the water table in the peat and the pore-water pressure in the Sphagnum. Increased knowledge learned from this project will guide product development and Sphagnum production within an environmentally sustainable farming system.
Planned Impact
This consortium project will have an impact in the UK beyond the academic environment through close integration of University researchers (UEL and MMU) with lead organisation Micropropagation Services Ltd (MPS) and commercial partners Melcourt Industries (MI). This 15-month study seeks to investigate and develop the means of growing a commercial-scale Sphagnum crop and understanding the environmental consequences of cultivation. We anticipate specific impacts from this work to be seen in the following areas:
Growing-media industry: The phasing-out of peat in UK horticulture has serious implications for the producers and users of quality growing media in the industry, particularly as UK demand for growing media is increasing. Sphagnum as a growing medium offers a potential new income stream in the form of a sustainable alternative to peat to project partner MI as well as to other UK companies currently engaged in peat extraction but increasingly faced with time-limited consents. In particular, MI are closely involved in developing the Responsible Sourcing Scheme, an industry-wide initiative supported by DEFRA to reduce the use of peat. The potential exists to develop the supply chain of growing media more widely within both the UK and continental Europe through close partner contacts with the growing-media industry - e.g. partner links to the industry through Defra, and MPS with key German growing-media suppliers (Klasmann-Deilmann GmbH).
Plant growers: Sphagnum farming offers the horticultural industry a long-term sustainable supply of growing media, providing an effective product with environmentally sustainable credentials which could qualify for an EU 'eco-label' (peat does not qualify). UEL links with, for example, Gardening Which? and RSPB also offer the potential to encourage retail take-up through schemes such as RSPB's 'Give Nature a Home'.
Farmers and Land owners: Sphagnum farming on wetland soils offers farmers and landowners a new innovative high value crop for areas of peat soil currently subject to agricultural drainage and use but which are therefore subsiding and thus increasingly at risk from flooding as well as releasing significant quantities of carbon. Sphagnum farming offers one novel means of maintaining productivity from such land even with increasing policy shifts towards re-wetting such farmed peat soils UEL links with Defra and the Soil Association can be used to develop and promote this new form of sustainable agriculture.
Construction and recycling industry: UEL's work with the construction and recycling industry offers the opportunity to develop novel, commercially attractive materials derived from mixing Sphagnum with industry waste.
Government bodies: The project will inform policy in DEFRA, for example through the Defra/HDC/horticultural industry funded programme of work to 'Progress the transition to responsibly sourced growing media use within UK horticulture' (SP1215, 2015-2019). DEFRA is also currently preparing a peatland strategy for England, seeking to establish the sustainable management of UK peatlands and peatland soils, assisted by UEL. Sphagnum farming could play an important part within this since it provides a means by which current unsustainable wetland use could be transformed into sustainable practice. The current project proposal will explore carbon fluxes associated with Sphagnum farming and thereby inform DEFRA policy on reduction of carbon emissions from peatlands for climate change mitigation. Meanwhile both carbon and climate change responses across society as a whole are being considered by the UK Committee for Climate Change, with whom UEL is actively involved. Novel ways of managing UK peat soils to reduce carbon emissions and reduce flood risk is a significant part of the UKCCC's deliberations.
Growing-media industry: The phasing-out of peat in UK horticulture has serious implications for the producers and users of quality growing media in the industry, particularly as UK demand for growing media is increasing. Sphagnum as a growing medium offers a potential new income stream in the form of a sustainable alternative to peat to project partner MI as well as to other UK companies currently engaged in peat extraction but increasingly faced with time-limited consents. In particular, MI are closely involved in developing the Responsible Sourcing Scheme, an industry-wide initiative supported by DEFRA to reduce the use of peat. The potential exists to develop the supply chain of growing media more widely within both the UK and continental Europe through close partner contacts with the growing-media industry - e.g. partner links to the industry through Defra, and MPS with key German growing-media suppliers (Klasmann-Deilmann GmbH).
Plant growers: Sphagnum farming offers the horticultural industry a long-term sustainable supply of growing media, providing an effective product with environmentally sustainable credentials which could qualify for an EU 'eco-label' (peat does not qualify). UEL links with, for example, Gardening Which? and RSPB also offer the potential to encourage retail take-up through schemes such as RSPB's 'Give Nature a Home'.
Farmers and Land owners: Sphagnum farming on wetland soils offers farmers and landowners a new innovative high value crop for areas of peat soil currently subject to agricultural drainage and use but which are therefore subsiding and thus increasingly at risk from flooding as well as releasing significant quantities of carbon. Sphagnum farming offers one novel means of maintaining productivity from such land even with increasing policy shifts towards re-wetting such farmed peat soils UEL links with Defra and the Soil Association can be used to develop and promote this new form of sustainable agriculture.
Construction and recycling industry: UEL's work with the construction and recycling industry offers the opportunity to develop novel, commercially attractive materials derived from mixing Sphagnum with industry waste.
Government bodies: The project will inform policy in DEFRA, for example through the Defra/HDC/horticultural industry funded programme of work to 'Progress the transition to responsibly sourced growing media use within UK horticulture' (SP1215, 2015-2019). DEFRA is also currently preparing a peatland strategy for England, seeking to establish the sustainable management of UK peatlands and peatland soils, assisted by UEL. Sphagnum farming could play an important part within this since it provides a means by which current unsustainable wetland use could be transformed into sustainable practice. The current project proposal will explore carbon fluxes associated with Sphagnum farming and thereby inform DEFRA policy on reduction of carbon emissions from peatlands for climate change mitigation. Meanwhile both carbon and climate change responses across society as a whole are being considered by the UK Committee for Climate Change, with whom UEL is actively involved. Novel ways of managing UK peat soils to reduce carbon emissions and reduce flood risk is a significant part of the UKCCC's deliberations.
Organisations
- University of East London (Lead Research Organisation)
- ASTON UNIVERSITY (Collaboration)
- Newcastle University (Collaboration)
- Adas (Collaboration)
- Micropropagation Services (Collaboration)
- The Wildlife Trusts of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Northamptonshire (Collaboration)
- Polybell Farms Ltd (Collaboration)
- Manchester University (Collaboration)
- Department For Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (DEFRA) (Collaboration)
- DURHAM UNIVERSITY (Collaboration)
- Nottingham Trent University (Collaboration)
- MANCHESTER METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY (Collaboration)
- UK Centre For Ecology & Hydrology (Collaboration)
- BANGOR UNIVERSITY (Collaboration)
- ABERYSTWYTH UNIVERSITY (Collaboration)
- CAMBRIDGESHIRE ACRE (Collaboration)
Publications

Evans M
(2023)
Managing UK upland peat for greenhouse gas removal


Ritson, J.P.
(2023)
The use of historical accounts of species distribution to suggest restoration targets for UK upland mires within a 'moorland' landscape.
in Mires and Peat
Title | SCHOOL FOR CIVIC ACTION WITH PUBLIC WORKS, Tate Modern & Tate Exchange, |
Description | The PI, CoI, and project partners MicroPropagation services contributed materials showcasing the sustainable applications of cultivated Sphagnum biomass, and raised public awareness of the benefits of peatlands for climate and biodiversity. This was delivered through collaboration with the company public works and the school for civic action programme. Exhibition description below: This year we'll be focusing on how 'civic action' can allow participants to develop new skills and strategies to affect change in the city. We are inviting you to explore and share ideas for the Civic City. Together we'll transform Tate Exchange into a public classroom, bringing together activists and practitioners engaged in civic movement, and prototyping a collective education platform for civic action. This event is programmed by public works, a Tate Exchange Associate, and supported by their collaborators: Just Space, Arts Catalyst, 30 Bird, Edible Rotherhithe, Southwark Council, MA Design for Cultural Commons at London Metropolitan University, Women's Environmental Network, Commune Festival, Extinction Rebellion, Grove Adventure Playground, Sunny Jar Eco Hub, the British Bryology Society, University of East London, Kings College London, Peckham Vision, and the London School of Mosaic. For this event, timber has been donated by SCA via Huws Gray Ridgeons and Champion Timber, facilitated by TRADA's university engagement programme. |
Type Of Art | Artistic/Creative Exhibition |
Year Produced | 2019 |
Impact | Through the School for civic action, delivered with public works. the PI, CoI, and project partners MicroPropagation services delivered an exhibition showcasing the sustainable applications of cultivated Sphagnum biomass, and raised public awareness of the benefits of peatlands for climate and biodiversity. This exhibition was visited by the public, and members of DEFRA soils also visited which raised awareness for Sphagnum farming and paludiculture at the policymaker level. https://twitter.com/DefraSoils/status/1154684016311832576 |
URL | https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/tate-exchange/workshop/school-civic-action |
Description | Water Table - Pore Water Pressure dynamics, as well as the position of the soil water-table, are important in Sphagnum Farming Sphagnum Growth is demonstrably successful using MicroPropagated seedstock Terrestrial Laser Scanning can provide accurate and comprehensive survey data to complement traditional monitoring methods when calculating development of crop volume. |
Exploitation Route | We are intending to publish the novel results from this work more formally through publication in Mires and Peat - which is rapidly becoming the journal of choice for peatland researchers around the world. |
Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Communities and Social Services/Policy Education Energy Environment Healthcare Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
Description | The results of the project have fed directly into development of Government policy as set out in the England Peat Action Plan, and continues to inform the deliberations of the Defra Lowland Agricultural Peat Task Force, as well as into the Paludiculture Sub-Group of the LAPTF. We have also been able to present our partners and initial products to His Majesty King Charles III, as well as to a range of national and local politicians, policy makers and businesses. |
First Year Of Impact | 2023 |
Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Environment,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
Impact Types | Cultural Societal Economic Policy & public services |
Description | Influence on England Peat Action Plan |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
URL | https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/england-peat-action-plan |
Description | Lowland Agricultural Peat Task Force Report - Ministerial response |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
Impact | The UK Government has released a Paludiculture Exploration Fund in order to stimulate development of paludiculture practices, products and machinery. |
URL | https://www.paludiculture.org.uk/ |
Description | Mr Richard Lindsay and Mr Jack Clough now core members of the paludiculture sub group advising DEFRA in relation to paludiculture and the potential it can play in the development of the Lowland Agricultural Peat Task Force |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
Description | Mr Richard Lindsay is now a Core member of the Lowland Agricultural Peat Task Force |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
URL | https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-chair-to-lead-task-force-on-sustainable-farming-of-peatlands |
Description | DEFRA match funding to cover capital works at the Peoples Postcode Lottery WaterWorks site. |
Amount | £238,582 (GBP) |
Organisation | Department For Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (DEFRA) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2021 |
End | 04/2022 |
Description | Greenhouse Gas Removal by Accelerated Peat Formation |
Amount | £4,383,972 (GBP) |
Funding ID | BB/V011561/1 |
Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 04/2021 |
End | 11/2025 |
Description | Water Works project |
Amount | £1,000,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | People's Postcode Lottery |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2019 |
End | 01/2021 |
Title | Use of terrestrial laser scanning for measurement of Sphagnum bog moss crop growth |
Description | Use of terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) to measure the volume-change of a farmed Sphagnum crop over time and thus determine the relative performance of differing farming treatments. |
Type Of Material | Biological samples |
Year Produced | 2019 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | No notable impacts yet because the final analysis of crop yield has yet to be undertaken. |
Title | Digital Terrain Model of Trial plots |
Description | The research team in collaboration with Nottingham Trent University have generated the baseline scans, and follow up scans of the experimental plots using a Terrestrial Laser Scanner. This in combination with fixed ground markers and measured data will be used to calculate the biomass accumulation and peat soil surface changes over time. This time series currently covers the Autumn/ Winter period, and will be expanded to cover a full year including the most interesting summer period beyond this funding time frame. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2019 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | This dataset along with other data generated through the project is highly novel. Therefore it will be incorporated into a number of papers discussing the UK's first Sphagnum Farming sites, which will be published as soon as possible. |
Title | Pore water pressure dynamics during establishment of trial plots |
Description | the Research team has gathered Pore water pressure at both sites during their establishment phase over the course of this project. Due to site construction time-frames this time series currently covers the Autumn/winter period, and will be expanded to cover a full year including the most interesting summer period beyond this funding time frame. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2019 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | This dataset along with other data generated through the project is highly novel. Therefore it will be incorporated into a number of papers discussing the UK's first Sphagnum Farming sites, which will be published as soon as possible. |
Title | Sphagnum Growth data during establishment of trials |
Description | The research team has developed a variety of methods for moniotirng the growth of Sphganum moss begetation during the trial establishment phase over the course of this project. Due to the site construction time-frame, this time series currently covers the Autumn/winter period, and will be expanded to cover a full year including the most interesting summer period beyond this funding time frame. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2019 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | This dataset along with other data generated through the project is highly novel. Therefore it will be incorporated into a number of papers discussing the UK's first Sphagnum Farming sites, which will be published as soon as possible. |
Title | Water Table dynamics during establishment of trial plots |
Description | UEL has collected water table data for the 2 research sites during their establishment phase over the course of this project. This has been achieved through conventional water level recorders, and the trial of innovative 'rust rods' which allow for more extensive coverage at a cheaper cost. due to site construction this time series currently covers the Autumn/winter period, and will be expanded to cover a full year including the most interesting summer period beyond this funding time frame. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2019 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | This dataset along with other data generated through the project is highly novel. Therefore it will be incorporated into a number of papers discussing the UK's first Sphagnum Farming sites, which will be published as soon as possible. |
Description | Continuing a strong working relationship with consortium partners |
Organisation | Manchester Metropolitan University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | The UEL research team have continued to monitor the AGRI-Tech research sites utilising funds from the People's Postcode Lottery 'Water Works' project. |
Collaborator Contribution | MPS Ltd have continued to manage the AGRI-Tech research sites, whilst also providing in-kind funding for the UEL researchers on a number of engagement activities. MMU have continued to provide GHG monitoring and gather data from the research sites The contributions from both partners will enable further analysis to be performed beyond the scope of the original study. |
Impact | Publications - still in development. Research Database - ongoing. |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | Continuing a strong working relationship with consortium partners |
Organisation | Micropropagation Services |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | The UEL research team have continued to monitor the AGRI-Tech research sites utilising funds from the People's Postcode Lottery 'Water Works' project. |
Collaborator Contribution | MPS Ltd have continued to manage the AGRI-Tech research sites, whilst also providing in-kind funding for the UEL researchers on a number of engagement activities. MMU have continued to provide GHG monitoring and gather data from the research sites The contributions from both partners will enable further analysis to be performed beyond the scope of the original study. |
Impact | Publications - still in development. Research Database - ongoing. |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | Defra Project SP1218 Assessment of the Economic Viability of Paludicultural Systems Under Conditions in England And Wales |
Organisation | ADAS |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | the UEL research team has been asked to provide knowledge exchange to feed into a literature review work package forming part of the upcoming DEFRA Project SP1218 Assessment of the Economic Viability of Paludicultural Systems Under Conditions in England And Wales. The UEL research team have fed in information surrounding the context of Paludiculture as a new form of farming, and why it is needed as a sustainable form of land use on our wetland areas in the UK. data surrounding the potential of Paludiculture crops around the World and the UK have been produced by UEL including data from our Agri-Tech Sphagnum Farming work. |
Collaborator Contribution | ADAS - have acted as the project lead for this work package, and provided project administration, authored sections relating to the context of peat use and growing media in the UK as well as other information relevant to the literature review. CEH - are acting as the overall project lead, and have provided GHG emissions data, site traffic-ability information, as well as other information relevant to the literature review. MicroPropagation Services Ltd, have provided a financial contribution to the UEL Research team, to enable them to take part in this project as it involves the knowledge transfer of information generated in the AGRI-Tech project. |
Impact | The full completed Literature review is now published. |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | Defra Project SP1218 Assessment of the Economic Viability of Paludicultural Systems Under Conditions in England And Wales |
Organisation | Bangor University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | the UEL research team has been asked to provide knowledge exchange to feed into a literature review work package forming part of the upcoming DEFRA Project SP1218 Assessment of the Economic Viability of Paludicultural Systems Under Conditions in England And Wales. The UEL research team have fed in information surrounding the context of Paludiculture as a new form of farming, and why it is needed as a sustainable form of land use on our wetland areas in the UK. data surrounding the potential of Paludiculture crops around the World and the UK have been produced by UEL including data from our Agri-Tech Sphagnum Farming work. |
Collaborator Contribution | ADAS - have acted as the project lead for this work package, and provided project administration, authored sections relating to the context of peat use and growing media in the UK as well as other information relevant to the literature review. CEH - are acting as the overall project lead, and have provided GHG emissions data, site traffic-ability information, as well as other information relevant to the literature review. MicroPropagation Services Ltd, have provided a financial contribution to the UEL Research team, to enable them to take part in this project as it involves the knowledge transfer of information generated in the AGRI-Tech project. |
Impact | The full completed Literature review is now published. |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | Defra Project SP1218 Assessment of the Economic Viability of Paludicultural Systems Under Conditions in England And Wales |
Organisation | Micropropagation Services |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | the UEL research team has been asked to provide knowledge exchange to feed into a literature review work package forming part of the upcoming DEFRA Project SP1218 Assessment of the Economic Viability of Paludicultural Systems Under Conditions in England And Wales. The UEL research team have fed in information surrounding the context of Paludiculture as a new form of farming, and why it is needed as a sustainable form of land use on our wetland areas in the UK. data surrounding the potential of Paludiculture crops around the World and the UK have been produced by UEL including data from our Agri-Tech Sphagnum Farming work. |
Collaborator Contribution | ADAS - have acted as the project lead for this work package, and provided project administration, authored sections relating to the context of peat use and growing media in the UK as well as other information relevant to the literature review. CEH - are acting as the overall project lead, and have provided GHG emissions data, site traffic-ability information, as well as other information relevant to the literature review. MicroPropagation Services Ltd, have provided a financial contribution to the UEL Research team, to enable them to take part in this project as it involves the knowledge transfer of information generated in the AGRI-Tech project. |
Impact | The full completed Literature review is now published. |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | Defra Project SP1218 Assessment of the Economic Viability of Paludicultural Systems Under Conditions in England And Wales |
Organisation | UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | the UEL research team has been asked to provide knowledge exchange to feed into a literature review work package forming part of the upcoming DEFRA Project SP1218 Assessment of the Economic Viability of Paludicultural Systems Under Conditions in England And Wales. The UEL research team have fed in information surrounding the context of Paludiculture as a new form of farming, and why it is needed as a sustainable form of land use on our wetland areas in the UK. data surrounding the potential of Paludiculture crops around the World and the UK have been produced by UEL including data from our Agri-Tech Sphagnum Farming work. |
Collaborator Contribution | ADAS - have acted as the project lead for this work package, and provided project administration, authored sections relating to the context of peat use and growing media in the UK as well as other information relevant to the literature review. CEH - are acting as the overall project lead, and have provided GHG emissions data, site traffic-ability information, as well as other information relevant to the literature review. MicroPropagation Services Ltd, have provided a financial contribution to the UEL Research team, to enable them to take part in this project as it involves the knowledge transfer of information generated in the AGRI-Tech project. |
Impact | The full completed Literature review is now published. |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | Developing a working relationship with researchers outside the project consortium |
Organisation | Nottingham Trent University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We have developed a very good working relationship with Dr Ben Clutterbuck at Nottingham Trent University, whom has been contracted by UEL to undertake Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) to produce a Digital terrain model of the Sphagnum Farming trial plots. We have worked together to develop a monitoring strategy at the trial locations and installed fixed markers to enable effective scanning by Dr Clutterbuck, joining him for fieldwork to learn more about the process of gathering and analyzing the data. |
Collaborator Contribution | Dr Ben Clutterbuck at Nottingham Trent University has provided us with his TLS expertise on this project, which has provided excellent quality data. as well as providing UEL researchers with knowledge exchange about TLS and the monitoring possibilities it presents. |
Impact | The outputs of this collaboration have been: Multidisciplinary: a combination of UEL's ecological monitoring expertise and NTU's surveying expertise Novel Data: on-site dynamics at the test plots, including ground level, future growth, and baseline information. Knowledge exchange between the collaborators. |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | GCR funding bid consortium - collaboration |
Organisation | Aberystwyth University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We will be providing long term environmental monitoring, paludiculture research, analysis and engagement. |
Collaborator Contribution | Partners are now developing demonstrator sites, sitting on advisory panels, assist in scientific monitoring & analysis and assist with engagement activities. |
Impact | Successful multi-disciplinary bid, project now started, involving ecology, soil biochemistry, hydrology, atmospheric science, engineering, agriculture. |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | GCR funding bid consortium - collaboration |
Organisation | Aston University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We will be providing long term environmental monitoring, paludiculture research, analysis and engagement. |
Collaborator Contribution | Partners are now developing demonstrator sites, sitting on advisory panels, assist in scientific monitoring & analysis and assist with engagement activities. |
Impact | Successful multi-disciplinary bid, project now started, involving ecology, soil biochemistry, hydrology, atmospheric science, engineering, agriculture. |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | GCR funding bid consortium - collaboration |
Organisation | Bangor University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We will be providing long term environmental monitoring, paludiculture research, analysis and engagement. |
Collaborator Contribution | Partners are now developing demonstrator sites, sitting on advisory panels, assist in scientific monitoring & analysis and assist with engagement activities. |
Impact | Successful multi-disciplinary bid, project now started, involving ecology, soil biochemistry, hydrology, atmospheric science, engineering, agriculture. |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | GCR funding bid consortium - collaboration |
Organisation | Durham University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We will be providing long term environmental monitoring, paludiculture research, analysis and engagement. |
Collaborator Contribution | Partners are now developing demonstrator sites, sitting on advisory panels, assist in scientific monitoring & analysis and assist with engagement activities. |
Impact | Successful multi-disciplinary bid, project now started, involving ecology, soil biochemistry, hydrology, atmospheric science, engineering, agriculture. |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | GCR funding bid consortium - collaboration |
Organisation | Manchester University |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We will be providing long term environmental monitoring, paludiculture research, analysis and engagement. |
Collaborator Contribution | Partners are now developing demonstrator sites, sitting on advisory panels, assist in scientific monitoring & analysis and assist with engagement activities. |
Impact | Successful multi-disciplinary bid, project now started, involving ecology, soil biochemistry, hydrology, atmospheric science, engineering, agriculture. |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | GCR funding bid consortium - collaboration |
Organisation | Newcastle University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We will be providing long term environmental monitoring, paludiculture research, analysis and engagement. |
Collaborator Contribution | Partners are now developing demonstrator sites, sitting on advisory panels, assist in scientific monitoring & analysis and assist with engagement activities. |
Impact | Successful multi-disciplinary bid, project now started, involving ecology, soil biochemistry, hydrology, atmospheric science, engineering, agriculture. |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | GCR funding bid consortium - collaboration |
Organisation | Polybell Farms Ltd |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | We will be providing long term environmental monitoring, paludiculture research, analysis and engagement. |
Collaborator Contribution | Partners are now developing demonstrator sites, sitting on advisory panels, assist in scientific monitoring & analysis and assist with engagement activities. |
Impact | Successful multi-disciplinary bid, project now started, involving ecology, soil biochemistry, hydrology, atmospheric science, engineering, agriculture. |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | GCR funding bid consortium - collaboration |
Organisation | UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | We will be providing long term environmental monitoring, paludiculture research, analysis and engagement. |
Collaborator Contribution | Partners are now developing demonstrator sites, sitting on advisory panels, assist in scientific monitoring & analysis and assist with engagement activities. |
Impact | Successful multi-disciplinary bid, project now started, involving ecology, soil biochemistry, hydrology, atmospheric science, engineering, agriculture. |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | Greenhouse Gas Reduction - Peat Project |
Organisation | UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | We are responsible for most of the biodiversity monitoring on the two upland demonstrator sites, as well as researching the benefits and trade-offs of turning both upland demonstrators and the one lowland demonstrator into optimal carbon-capture systems either through ecosystem manipulation or, in the lowland case, adoption of paludiculture. We are also responsible for assessing the production potential of the paludiculture crops in the lowland demponstrator.. |
Collaborator Contribution | Other partners are monitoring greenhouse gas balance as well as a wide range of environmental factors, or exploring optimal farm husbandry practices to optimise paludiculture crop production, while other members of the partnership are assessing life-cycle analysis of the various activities forming part of the project. |
Impact | Published paper exploring the use archived botanical floras to inform present-day targets for peatland restoration in the uplands of England (Ritson and Lindsay, 2023). |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Member of Defra Lowland Agricultural Peat Task Force (LAPTF) |
Organisation | Department For Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (DEFRA) |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Contributing scientific expertise on peatland ecology and paludiculture practice to development of policy recommendations to Government Minister. |
Collaborator Contribution | Contributing expertise on a range of topics to development of policy recommendations to Government Minister. |
Impact | The Task Force has reported and the Minister has responded. |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Peatland Progress Project |
Organisation | The Wildlife Trusts of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Northamptonshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | To provide paludiculture advice and guidance, plus a robust monitoring programme, initially for the design phase , then for the delivery phase, of the Peatland Progress Project. |
Collaborator Contribution | Peatland Progress: A New Vision for the Fens is a 5-year National Lottery Heritage Fund project bringing hope for wildlife, the climate, farming and communities in the Cambridgeshire Fens. The project is tackling climate change, biodiversity loss and the anxieties of the next generation head-on through the restoration of Speechly's Farm, bringing together the north and south 'halves' of the Great Fen. By creating new wetland habitat for wildlife on this new land purchase, Peatland Progress is allowing us to achieve a core purpose of the Great Fen, to buffer, protect and link our two precious fragments of fen habitat: Holme Fen and Woodwalton Fen National Nature Reserves. We'll also be demonstrating a new system of land management, wet farming - or paludiculture - at farm-scale, a UK first. In this 120 hectare area, Peatland Progress will feature crops such as Typha (bulrush) and Sphagnum moss, building on successful three year trials. |
Impact | None yet. The project also includes carbon-flux measurement. |
Start Year | 2023 |
Description | Peoples Postcode Lottery funded 'WaterWorks' project - developing Sphagnum Farming and Paludiculture Research sites in the Cambridgeshire Fens |
Organisation | Cambridgeshire ACRE |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | The UEL Research team is responsible for designing the Paludiculture trial plots, transferring Knowledge about Sphagnum Farming from the previous Agri-Tech project to develop a new Sphagnum Farm at this location. The UEL team will also be responsible for collecting monitoring data, analysis and publication of plant growth and hydrological data. the UEL team have also helped develop 2 additional Horizon 2020 bids (submitted Jan 2021) that will expand further on paludiculture work at the WaterWorks site, and facilitate knowledge exchange with additional areas across Europe (further detail will be added upon the outcome of these Horizon bids post award) |
Collaborator Contribution | The Great Fen project on behalf of The Wildlife Trusts BCN are the lead partner and are responsible for supplying the land, organising groundwork's, providing the lead on project management and administration, developing education and engagement activities as well as day to day management activity. CEH are responsible for providing the carbon flux monitoring of project Cambridgeshire Acre are responsible for the Fens Biosphere aspect of the project |
Impact | This Collaborative Partnership was awarded £1million in award funding from the Peoples Postcode Lottery, specifically the Dream Fund funding stream, to cover a two year research project, which will result in a Paludiculture demonstration farm in the Cambridgeshire Fens. This project is multidisciplinary involving physical science researchers from UEL and CEH, as well as social science aspects from Cambridgeshire ACRE. The project has been well received, as a result of the project involvement in addition to Mr Lindsay and Mr Clough, Ms Kate Carver of the Wildlife Trust BCN is on the paludiculture sub group for the Defra Lowland Agricultural Peat Task Force. In 2020, The Wildlife Trust included UEL and UKCEH on an additional funding bid to Defra, which was successful, thus providing an additional year of funding. In late 2021 the Wildlife Trust successfully reached the final stage of bidding to the National Lottery Heritage Fund to extend the project still further - a final decision is awaited. |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | Peoples Postcode Lottery funded 'WaterWorks' project - developing Sphagnum Farming and Paludiculture Research sites in the Cambridgeshire Fens |
Organisation | UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | The UEL Research team is responsible for designing the Paludiculture trial plots, transferring Knowledge about Sphagnum Farming from the previous Agri-Tech project to develop a new Sphagnum Farm at this location. The UEL team will also be responsible for collecting monitoring data, analysis and publication of plant growth and hydrological data. the UEL team have also helped develop 2 additional Horizon 2020 bids (submitted Jan 2021) that will expand further on paludiculture work at the WaterWorks site, and facilitate knowledge exchange with additional areas across Europe (further detail will be added upon the outcome of these Horizon bids post award) |
Collaborator Contribution | The Great Fen project on behalf of The Wildlife Trusts BCN are the lead partner and are responsible for supplying the land, organising groundwork's, providing the lead on project management and administration, developing education and engagement activities as well as day to day management activity. CEH are responsible for providing the carbon flux monitoring of project Cambridgeshire Acre are responsible for the Fens Biosphere aspect of the project |
Impact | This Collaborative Partnership was awarded £1million in award funding from the Peoples Postcode Lottery, specifically the Dream Fund funding stream, to cover a two year research project, which will result in a Paludiculture demonstration farm in the Cambridgeshire Fens. This project is multidisciplinary involving physical science researchers from UEL and CEH, as well as social science aspects from Cambridgeshire ACRE. The project has been well received, as a result of the project involvement in addition to Mr Lindsay and Mr Clough, Ms Kate Carver of the Wildlife Trust BCN is on the paludiculture sub group for the Defra Lowland Agricultural Peat Task Force. In 2020, The Wildlife Trust included UEL and UKCEH on an additional funding bid to Defra, which was successful, thus providing an additional year of funding. In late 2021 the Wildlife Trust successfully reached the final stage of bidding to the National Lottery Heritage Fund to extend the project still further - a final decision is awaited. |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | Richard Lindsay- Member of DEFRA Peat Pilot Project Steering Committee |
Organisation | Department For Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (DEFRA) |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | The Steering Group provides oversight of the Peat Pilots as a whole, guiding the actions of the Pilots and also evaluating progress. Richard Lindsay has contributed specialist peatland ecological knowledge to the deliberations based on his experience both across the UK internationally. He has also been able to provide insights arising from the AGRI-Tech Sphagnum Farming Project for those Pilots focused on areas of peat in the lowlands where wetland agriculture ('paludiculture') as a whole may offer future potential economic activity. |
Collaborator Contribution | DEFRA is funding the Peat Pilot Projects and Chairs the Peat Pilots Project Steering Group. "Five of England's most iconic peatlands sites are a step closer to being revived and restored as part of Defra & Natural England's Peat Pilots. The pilots could play an important part in reducing UK carbon emissions in the future and are taking place in the areas of Northumberland, Greater Manchester, North York Moors, East Anglia and Dartmoor " The intention is that these Peat Pilots will inform development of the UK Government England Peat Strategy. |
Impact | Shaping of the UK Government England Peat Strategy, now released as Government Peat Action Plan. |
Start Year | 2019 |
Title | Funding internships investigating medical applications of Sphagnum biomass in vitro. with the University of Greenwich. |
Description | The use of Sphagnum biomass and it's associated chemicals are being investigated through an internship funded by the WaterWorks project. This builds upon the Agritech project that shows Sphagnum can be produced at scale here in the UK, and a literature review commissioned by the UEL researchers. This internship and future developments will in future, help to develop an additional high value and high quality market. This is an ongoing research programme at this stage. |
Type | Therapeutic Intervention - Complementary |
Current Stage Of Development | Initial development |
Year Development Stage Completed | 2021 |
Development Status | Under active development/distribution |
Impact | Initial literature review suggests that the biological properties of Sphagnum mainly fall into two related categories which are its antimicrobial activity and wound healing properties which are both related to its physical and chemical properties. future lab work will assess this. |
Description | DEFRA site visit to research site |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | The UEL team helped to deliver a site visit for civil servants from DEFRA to the Research site in Leicestershire. The attendees involved the Soils and Peatlands Policy Specialist, and the Head of Farming and Trade. this provided an opportunity to showcase the early stage results, and reinforce the idea that paludiculture in the UK is possible and realistic. The visit resulted in lots of questions about the project and generated enthusiasm and support for the project from DEFRA. the possibility of a ministerial visit was also mentioned. which would provide further engagement opportunities. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | https://twitter.com/DefraSoils/status/1054804928051507206 |
Description | Keynote presentation at the Humberhead Peatlands LIFE+ Project Close Conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | This was the Closing Conference of the Humberhead Peatlands LIFE+ Project, at which I gave the closing keynote speech. The speakers included specialists from peatland restoration projects in other parts of Europe, and the audience consisted largely of professional practitioners who intended to take the lessons from the conference and apply them to their own programmes of action. The Chair of the conference was the Chair of Natural England, who stated his intention to discuss the content of my talk, and the opportunities that it offered, with the Environment Secretary, Rt Hon Michael Gove MP. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Presentation at the IUCN UK Peatland Programme conference 2018 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Jack Clough RA, was asked to take part in a talk introducing paludiculture to a large audience at the IUCN UK Peatland Programme 2018 conference in Loch Lomond. The talk aimed to introduce the concept, the products and some of the research work taking place in the UK to make the research area of paludiculture more visible to the largely academic audience. This provided a useful opportunity for the Research team to mention the Sphagnum farming project, and establish it as a novel area of research, There were many questions, and requests for further information have arisen as a result of this talk. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | http://www.iucn-uk-peatlandprogramme.org/sites/www.iucn-uk-peatlandprogramme.org/files/file_attach/1... |
Description | Presenting at the International paludiculture conference RRR2021. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Mr Clough presented a talk showcasing the Water Works project at the Greifswald international paludiculture conference: RRR2021, as well as contributing materials to two additional talks on the Agritech sphagnum farming project presented by MicroPropagation services and MMU. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | http://www.moorwissen.de/en/veranstaltungen/rrr2021/index.php |
Description | Presenting project data at the IUCN UK Peatland Programme Conference: 'Peatlands: From Strategy to Action' 2020. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | We provided Data and analysis from the Innovate UK Sphagnum farming project for presentation at the IUCN UK PP conference 2020 by Beadamoss. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://www.iucn-uk-peatlandprogramme.org/events/conference-2020 |
Description | Presenting results of the Agri-Tech Sphagnum Farming project |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Jack Clough (RA) presented the initial results from the Agri-Tech Sphagnum Farming at the IUCN UK Peatland Programme Conference in Belfast in October 2019. The talk generated significant interest and questions following the talk. a summary of the conference can be found here: "The conference series presents an opportunity for policy makers, scientists, land managers, practitioners, businesses and communicators to connect and share their knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm for peatlands. 221 local, national and international delegates and volunteers from across sectors came together over 3 days to explore themes including: UK peatlands in an international context Progress made towards UK Peatland Strategy goals Update on key peatland topics: Commission of Inquiry Peatlands and Climate Change Natural Capital & Innovative Investment Evidence & priority research needs and break-throughs Building support for Peatland Protection & Restoration Restoration challenges, new developments & best practice. " |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://www.iucn-uk-peatlandprogramme.org/events/conference-series/conference-2019 |
Description | Providing data to partner organisations for a conference presentation |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | The results from the Innovate UK Sphagnum Farming trials are being presented in the upcoming RRR2021 Paludiculture conference (March 8th - 11th 2021) This is to an international audience of paludiculture and wetland researchers. A number of international NGOs and practice/policymakers will also be in attendance. We are presenting Sphagnum growth, hydrological data, and proposing a novel method of Sphagnum production. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | http://www.moorwissen.de/en/veranstaltungen/rrr2021/index.php |
Description | Speaking at the Fens Peat Pilot Project Conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | The purpose of the Defra Peat Pilots is to bring together all sectoral interests having involvement with management of peat soils in a region, assist them in identifying barriers to progress in developing and establishing sustainable management of peat soils within the region. The conference represents a major step forward in bringing all key actors together to discuss the objectives of the Pilot and identify potential ways forward. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Taking part in a BBC Radio 4 interview for Farming Today special feature for 'Peat week' |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Jack Clough and Richard Lindsay gave Interviews with Emily Hughes for BBC R4 Farming Today on the AGRI-Tech Research site in Leicestershire. The interview discussed the potential of Sphagnum Farming in the UK, and highlighted the benefits it could provide in terms of avoided carbon emissions and future economic potential for farmers currently engaged in conventional farming on peat soils. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://protect-eu.mimecast.com/s/uh-YC58ppFZ6Yg0slwwYc?domain=bbc.co.uk |
Description | Talk introducing paludiculture to members of DEFRA. Natural England, and BEIS |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Jack Clough RA, was invited to give an introductory talk about paludiculture to an audience comprising of civil servants working in DEFRA and BEIS as well as public servants from Natural England. They wanted an introduction to the concept, the products available, and an idea of any projects currently occurring in the UK - which gave an opportunity to discuss the work we are delivering through this current project. The aim of this talk was to increase awareness and build support for this emerging area at a high level. The talk achieved this aim, and provided information that has been directly incorporated into draft government policy - The England Peat Strategy |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | https://twitter.com/DefraSoils/status/1045022565935329281 |
Description | Tate Modern PublicWorks Sustainable Moss Exhibition |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | The UEL Sustainability Research Institute collaborated with the architectural collective 'PublicWorks' and MicroPropagation Services Ltd to create a public exhibition about the potential for using mosses in the development of sustainable approaches to living. We assisted in creating a VR experience, various display materials and farmed Sphagnum, linked to our AGRI-Tech Sphagnum Farming Project. The exhibition ran for a week in the Tate Modern Switch Room and attracted a number of school parties as well as a wide range of other audiences, including the Defra Soils team. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://protect-eu.mimecast.com/s/7qRqCg5jjhAV3VgiopXb7?domain=twitter.com |
Description | Visit of display by King Charles III |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | A visit by King Charles III to the University of East London enabled us to present a range of external paludiculture partners and activities to His Majesty. Also accompanying this visit were national and local politicians, local businesses and the media. Paludiculture materials were presented as gifts to His Majesty. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://uel.ac.uk/about-uel/news/2023/february/king-visits-uel-mark-125th-anniversary#:~:text=On%20a... |