Geomorphological evolution of blanket bogs

Whilst blanket bogs are of limited spatial extent, they are a significant global store of terrestrial carbon. Blanket bogs in good condition can act as carbon sinks, whereas blanket bogs in a degraded condition may act as a carbon source. Blanket bogs, therefore, are significant for either promoting (by releasing carbon) or mitigating (through carbon storage) climate change. This project will include investigating the geomorphology of blanket bogs using drone-based aerial imagery and terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) to help map the surface geomorphology, the use of ground-penetrating radar to survey peat depth, identify within peat features, and survey the sub-peat substrate geomorphology. Developing our understanding of blanket bogs is important because it will help to improve the restoration actions that are increasingly being undertaken globally on degraded blanket bogs by governments and practitioners to reduce carbon emissions, promote the carbon sink function, and protect the eco-system services that these sites provide.