Are you a Netflix binger? 

 

Now you can catch up with our ‘box-set’, ‘For Peat’s Sake’ - all in the one place!

 

Since February began, the SGA and Scotland's regional moorland groups have released twice weekly films with scientists, wildfire experts and practitioners talking about prescribed burning on peatlands.

 

Carbon, peat, water, wildfire; all have been discussed, with more to follow.

 

First, Dr Andreas Heinemeyer, the individual with the finger on the muirburn pulse more than any other in the UK.

 

His long-term work with York University- and this interview - begins to confirm what many members (practitioners who have used fire and observed its interactions on peatlands for decades) have been saying for years.

 

“Where a site is wet enough to use prescribed burning, this seems to be the most suitable option to allow carbon storage, peat growth, reduce heather dominance, increase biodiversity and keep the peatland wet.”

 

Q: OK, but why not just leave peatlands as they are?

 

“The results of our study found that unmanaged areas had several drawbacks, including the water table dropping and peat drying out, the associated carbon loss from decomposition, but also higher methane emissions. 

 

With Scottish Government spending millions on peatland restoration, this study suggests not managing those peatlands could place that hefty public investment at risk in the longer term, not to mention jeopardising the ambitious Net Zero targets.

 

Q: What about Carbon? Surely muirburn is bad for carbon stored in peatlands?

 

That is what short-term studies say. BUT, longer term? A different picture emerges entirely. See graph below.

Enjoy the films. 

Dr Andreas Heinemeyer

Dr Rob Marrs, Liverpool University, followed by international wildfire expert, Marc Castellnou