Creating sustainable forested peatlands.

This project explores relationships between tree density and both biodiversity and greenhouse gas balance for low-density woodlands on deep peat. Its purpose is to find out more about the potential of converting commercial forestry plantations on deep peat to 'peatland edge woodlands' to provide biodiverse habitats while at the same time helping to reduce climate change.



During the first few months of the project I have encountered a lot of difficulty in pinning down what exactly peatland edge woodlands are! My project is therefore starting with a policy analysis involving a series of interviews with a range of stakeholders to work out what peatland edge woodland is interpreted to mean and what opinions there are about it.



This year I am also planning my first field campaign. By studying bogs with natural, semi-natural and planted woodland with a range of tree densities, the project aims to further our understanding of the benefits and trade-offs involved. The project should help inform the details of what 'peatland edge woodland' could be. A range of methods will be applied including vegetation surveys, assessment of above and below ground carbon storage, crank wires, litter bags, flux chambers and Skyline 2D.