Peatland Surveys, The Fens

Here at Exo, we began 2023 by continuing to conduct peatland surveys on behalf of organisations such as the Broads Authority, Natural England and Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. Establishing baseline data for peat coverage is a crucial step for determining if a project meets Peatland Code eligibility. The Peatland Code is a voluntary certification standard for UK peatland projects wishing to market the climate benefits of peatland restoration and provide assurances to voluntary carbon market buyers that the climate benefits being sold are real, quantifiable, additional and permanent. 

There are various criteria which land must meet if it is going to be eligible for the Peatland Code, including having a peat depth of at least 50cm. Exo Environmental have considerable experience in conducting peatland surveys, having carried out over 800 manual peat cores to determine extent of peat coverage at numerous different sites. The data we collect informs the client about soil types present, depth of each layer and layer thickness. Should a project meet all the criteria for Peatland Code eligibility, a suitable management plan can be created. This can be implemented to restore or conserve the peatland, with continued monitoring of the project site over the next 30 years by an approved validation/verification body.

Before sampling takes place, peat core locations are determined, typically achieved by using a 100x100m grid and assigning each point a What3Words ID. Exo Environmental have a range of different specialist auger heads which are used for taking samples. The soil sample is visually analysed for properties such as colour, streaking or staining and presence of organic material. The soil sample is then handled to determine if the soil is hard or soft, wet or dry or if there is sand present. This data is collated into an excel spreadsheet for each project site, which is used to generate a map of the spatial distribution of peat coverage. If there are uncertainties about soil composition or % organic content, the soil can be collected and sent to a laboratory for analysis. Loss on Ignition (LOI) can determine the exact percentage of organic material present in the sample, with particle size distribution being used to identify soil composition.

So far, we have conducted peatland surveys at numerous sites across Cambridgeshire and Suffolk, with more projects planned over the next few weeks. Later this month, we’ll be heading up to the Humberhead Levels to conduct peat coring of multiple different sites. The findings of our coring will be used to determine eligibility for a restoration grant as part of the Peatland Code.

Once regarded as difficult, impractical areas of wasteland, the true value of peatland has only just begun to be realised. The ability of peatlands to sequester carbon means that they are estimated to contain more than twice the amount of carbon held in the Earths rainforests. In the UK, 87% of peatland is thought to be degraded, now acting as a source of carbon rather than a sink. It is for this reason that their conservation may prove imperative if the UK is to achieve its ambitious target of Carbon Net-Zero by 2050.

For any queries about the services we offer, please get in contact with us by clicking here.