Peat and Soil
Peat and soil play crucial roles in climate adaptation and mitigation by providing natural solutions for carbon storage, water regulation, and resilience to climate impacts.
Peat and soil – relevance to climate change
Healthy Peatlands store large amounts of carbon as well as supporting ecosystems and retaining water, which can help manage flood risk. We have significant expertise in peatland restoration and are currently developing tools to understand the impacts of climate change on many aspects of peatland functioning both in Scotland and further afield.
Soils, when poorly managed, can suffer from erosion and physical degradation, reducing their ability to support ecosystems and agriculture. The James Hutton Institute has internationally recognised expertise to help build soil resilience to climate change and shifting environmental conditions. This includes soil function, structure, biodiversity and ability to sequester carbon.
We are involved in practical projects to enhance soil health through sustainable agriculture, sustainable land management and agroforestry.
We also hold the National Soils Archive, with a large collection of soil samples from Scotland going back to the 1940s. We have expertise in land capability and assessment and produce the Land Capability for Agriculture maps.
Antonia Boyce, Business Development Manager
We develop innovative methods for monitoring soil health and much more!
Peatlands are one of the world’s most important natural carbon stores, holding large amounts of carbon within their soils. Research collaborations involving James Hutton Institute Scientific Services help improve understanding of peatland ecosystems and their role in storing carbon and regulating greenhouse gas emissions.
Restoring degraded peatlands can reduce carbon emissions, improve biodiversity and enhance water regulation. Through collaborative research, James Hutton Institute Scientific Services contributes to projects that support sustainable peatland management and climate mitigation strategies.
Healthy soils play a vital role in supporting plant growth, storing carbon, regulating water and sustaining biodiversity. Research supported by James Hutton Institute Scientific Services explores how soil management practices can improve environmental sustainability.
