Quantifying the impact of restoration on peatland aquatic organic matter
Dr Cat Moody’s NERC Independent Research Fellowship aims to discover how peatland restoration impacts on aquatic carbon, ecosystem biodiversity and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Global peatland pool survey sample count so far: 112
- Furthest distance away from Leeds: 8000 miles
About the project:
Peatlands are an extremely important as they are the most efficient carbon store on land when they are healthy. They cover only 3% of the Earth’s surface but store more carbon than all the world’s forests.
Restoring damaged peatlands to encourage uptake of carbon dioxide from the air and store it as carbon in plants and peat will impact the whole ecosystem. Restoration methods often involve creating open water pools. These pools are potential ‘hotspots’ for carbon transfer between peat, water and air, and could lead to higher greenhouse gas losses from peatlands. It is important to understand how peatland pools impact GHG emissions from peatlands to quantify the benefits of restoration projects.
I will study pools in natural and restored peatland ecosystems. I will take samples from pools and analyse the carbon, nutrients and organisms in the water. At each pool, I will measure pH and water temperature, and collect a small volume of water (up to 3 L) and air. This is minimally invasive and will not cause any site damage. I will work with local peatland practitioners to ensure safe and fair working practices, and share data and findings with landowners and stakeholders. Results of my research will show how restoration impacts on carbon storage in water, and the wider peatland ecosystem.
If you would like to be involved:
Share your peatland knowledge and restoration plans: Let me know if you are planning peatland restoration projects that will involve creating peatland pools. I would like to investigate pools on sites restored recently, and more than 10 years ago, and near-natural pools. I would like to know restoration state, timeline and method of restoration, and if I would be able to come and take some samples.
Contact:
Email: c.s.moody@leeds.ac.uk
When Cat is on maternity leave: if you’d like to be involved in our global sampling of peatland pool water, email Sarah Hunt (S.F.P.Hunt@leeds.ac.uk)
Dr Cat Moody, School of Geography, Faculty of Environment
NERC Independent Fellowship project page
Photography by Cat Moody during fieldwork.