The Peat Beneath Your Feet… What state, in terms of quantity and quality is the Moine Mhor peatland currently in?
Emma Brydera, Tom Balla, Andrew Blacka, Olivia Bragga, b c Andrew Coupar , Thomas MacDonell a
School of the Environment, University of Dundee b Scottish Natural Heritage, Inverness c Glenfeshie Estate, Kingussie
Why is Peat Important?
The Study Site
Storage of carbon
The Mòine Mhór lies within the privately owned Glenfeshie Estate in the south-west of the Cairngorms National Park. The Mòine Mhór is the UK’s highest altitude blanket bog (~950 m asl).
Specialised biodiversity Stores and cleans water Flood control Archive of change Recreation (IUCN, 2011)
The site is currently in poor condition, with substantial areas of peat erosion that have been linked to long term overuse by red deer in the summer.
Project Objectives To describe and map the Mòine Mhór peatland system, to estimate current and historical rates of erosion and relate these to land management. Based on this knowledge recommendations will be developed for the on-going management of the peatland.
Planned Measurements Hydrology Peat characteristics Peat depth Carbon budget Javier Etcheverry Photography, 2010
References IUCN (2011) Commission of Inquiry on Peatlands—Summary of Findings [online] Available at: http://www.iucn-uk-peatlandprogramme.org/sites/all/files/IUCN%20UK%20Commission%20of%20Inquiry%20on%20Peatlands%20Summary%20of%20Findings%20spv%20web.pdf [accessed 01/02/2014]