The wetter the better? The role of wet woodlands as a nature-based solution to climate change

Plymouth Peatland Research Group
Wet woodlands at Goss Moor
Title: The wetter the better? The role of wet woodlands as a nature-based solution to climate change
Funding: Seale-Hayne Educational Trust
Duration: 2022-2024
University of Plymouth staff: Dr Scott Davidson (PI), Dr Paul Lunt (Co-I) 
Partners: Slapton Ley NNR
 
Wet woodland ecosystems were once common across the UK, but following years of disturbance due to drainage, agriculture and industrial development it is estimated that only 50–70,000 ha remain.
As with other types of peatland, wet woodlands function as terrestrial carbon stores and could provide a wide range of additional nature-based solutions, from flood prevention to nutrient filtering. However, these habitats are also one of the least-understood types of peatland in the world and research on the carbon stocks, fluxes or ecohydrological dynamics of wet woodlands in the UK has so far been limited. 
This project is a crucial first step towards addressing this large data gap. We will assess the vulnerability of wet woodland ecosystems by measuring carbon stocks along an ecohydrological gradient within the willow carr area at Slapton Ley NNR. Through a combination of LiDAR and field measurements, analysis of peat cores, automated data loggers and dipwells, as well as soil CO2 emissions measured in situ using a trace gas flux analyser, we will be able to build a dataset that will provide a basis for evaluating other wet woodland carbon stores across the entire UK.

Objectives of the project

  1. To understand the carbon sequestration potential of the site by quantifying above- and belowground carbon stocks and emissions using soil cores, laboratory analysis and field-based measurements.
  2. Measure the ecohydrological conditions of the site, including water table dynamics (past and present), biogeochemical conditions and ecological characteristics.
  3. Evaluate the climate mitigation potential of wet woodland as part of carbon valuations under the Woodland Carbon Code and Peatland Carbon Code.
  4. Develop field and lab analytical capacity at University of Plymouth to evaluate soil and vegetation carbon dynamics and provide support to the rural land-use sector to achieve net-zero carbon.
Peatland trace gas flux analyser
Measuring soil CO2 emissions using a trace gas flux analyser
Boardwalk through wet woodlands

Impact of this research

The data from this project can be used to inform potential future payment categories for carbon credits, ecosystem services and other systems under the Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme. Stakeholders and land managers will benefit from this research and an improved understanding of wet woodland functioning will allow for better integration of these ecosystems in land-use planning, providing insight into the importance of their conservation and potential restoration.
Establishing a research site of this nature at the Slapton Ley NNR presents a number of varied opportunities for public outreach and educational activities in the South West. We will provide information and materials to produce a public-facing explanation of our research project (in collaboration with the Wet Woodlands Research Network), highlighting the national significance of wet woodland ecosystems.

Understanding more about wet woodlands and their potential for carbon accumulation above- and below ground will help us improve decisions around land-use and afforestation for climate change mitigation and their role as a nature-based solution to climate change.

Scott DavidsonScott Davidson
Lecturer in Ecosystem Resilience

 
 
 
Peatland Dartmoor

Plymouth Peatlands Research Group

Investigating the link between historic and current land-use change, climate change and disturbance, our peatland research falls into the thematic areas of peatland ecosystem services, restoration practice, and impacts of disturbance regimes on peatland function. We work with key stakeholders to drive positive change in restoration, monitoring and management, and provide specialist advice and input into planning for the integration of cultural services within peatlands and forested wetlands.