More carbon is stored within peatlands than any other terrestrial habitat on earth. And yet much of the peatland in East Anglia is drained for agriculture. Draining peat introduces oxygen into a previously waterlogged, anaerobic system, triggering rapid microbial decomposition of accumulated organic matter, known as “oxidative wastage”. This process releases centuries of stored carbon as carbon dioxide, causing significant land subsidence, soil erosion, and greenhouse gas emissions, turning our most effective carbon “sinks” into major carbon emitters.
In partnership with our key funders and delivery partners, LAEP is participating in Lowland Peat 3 (LP3). Nationally, LP3 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. At LAEP, LP3 is helping us establish our baseline conditions, with monitoring equipment such as flux towers, cameras and dip wells – along with botanical surveys and soil analysis – providing an accurate insight into the existing condition of our peat soils, the hydrology of the site and the current emissions data. Alongside this, innovative modelling by Cranfield University is assessing the likely impacts of changes to water table management and establishing the necessary infrastructure required to hold a higher water table year-round, thereby ensuring continual anaerobic conditions and preventing oxidative wastage of the peat.
This work is part of the Lowland Agricultural Peat Water Discovery Pilot funded by the Environment Agency and Defra and the Lowland Agricultural Peat Small Infrastructure funded by the ADA and Defra.
Key Funders and Delivery Partners:
