Managing agricultural systems on lowland peat for reduced GHG emissions

A key objective in Defra's 25 year environment plan is to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agriculture and help contribute to UK Climate Change Act 2008 commitments as part of domestic efforts to mitigate climate change. Lowland peat under intensive arable agriculture in England is one of the UK's largest land-use derived source of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions1. Reducing emissions from cultivated peatlands could potentially contribute to reducing total emissions to a greater extent than blanket bog restoration on a per hectare basis, where the main focus has been previously, and therefore could generate significant emissions savings at a UK scale. However, much of this is high grade agricultural land (due in part to its historic and ongoing drainage) and in order to support Defra's ambition to promote profitable but sustainable food production we need to explore mitigation measures which effectively reduce GHG emissions but do not require land to be taken out of agricultural production; and are sustainable under a changing climate. Research is required to evaluate potential greenhouse gas mitigation measures (with a focus on water table management) on lowland peat arable and horticultural agricultural systems for their impact on emissions, productivity and the wider environment. The focus should be on mitigating CO2 emissions from the peat soil without leading to increases in other GHG emissions or loss pathways. Aims: - To evaluate the viability of paludiculture as an alternative agricultural system on lowland peat - To develop greater understanding of the impact on other greenhouse gas mitigation measures on reducing emissions from lowland peat, the wider environment, and agriculture productivity. - To assess the practicality of these mitigation measures including any socio-economic barriers which may exist; - To provide evidence to help support delivery options for the peatland strategy