IPPET in The Fens

The majority of peatlands in the UK have been lost to human impact, and the Great Fen is one of the largest areas of peatland left in the region following drainage in the 18th century, with a rich cultural history. There are ongoing efforts by the Wildlife Trust BCN to preserve remaining intact peatlands and restore/rewild farmed peatlands in the area. In collaboration with the Wildlife Trust BCN, IPPET aims to understand long-term spatio-temporal ecological dynamics in the farmed fens, as well as stored-carbon, and the different roles of human land use and climate in shaping the fens’ development over time to assist in informing restoration plans in the area. This project buids upon ongoing work in the area funded by the Isaac Newton Trust.

Field work in The Fens [October 2024]

Field work in The Fens-Rhymes Reed [February 2025]