Transcript Priority Research Questions for the Environment Agency and other

Uplands and climate change:
government agency research interests
Harriet Orr (EA)
David Thompson (NE)
Judith Stewart (Defra)
Tom Nisbet (Forestry Commission)
Understanding impacts
Evaluating risks
Evaluating adaptation options
Questions
• How is climate changing in the
uplands?
• What impact on ecosystem
services?
(floods, droughts, water quality, ecology)
• Do we need to take action?
• What adaptation measures are
possible?
• Who should do them?
Why value uplands?
70% UK water resource from uplands
We expect it to be of high quality
Dilution of downstream pollutants
Unique ecosystems
Unique cultural landscapes
Source for downstream nutrients and sediments
Headwaters- nursery areas especially for fish
Historically protected from development
Historically imp natural resources – again in the future?
Carbon sinks?
Benefits far outside upland area – currently unrewarded
Can we expect these in the future?
Protecting and enhancing peat soils
Objectives
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To determine the status of peat soils in order to identify and start to
address priority targets for action.
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To co-ordinate Defra, EA and NE work on peat soils. To liaise with
Devolved Administrations.
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To determine cost effective and practical management options.
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To determine suitable policy levers to protect and restore peat soils.
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To reduce the horticultural use of peat and promote peat
alternatives.
•
To influence domestic and international policy relating to peat use
and management.
Outcomes
Targets
Retain & enhance stores C
halt decline of soil C by 2025 (SFFS) & reduce
GHG emissions
Protect & enhance peat based
habitats & biodiversity
95% of England’s SSSIs in favourable or
recovering condition by 2010 (PSA); habitats
maintained & improved by 2015 (UK HAP)
Reduce horticultural use of peat
90% of UK soil improver & growing media peat
free by 2010 (UK HAP)
Reduce flood risk within
catchments containing peat
soils
Improve water quality
reduce DOC & sediment levels (WFD)
Covers upland and lowland peat soils in England – not organic-mineral or mineral soils
Project deliverables and products
Work strand
Key deliverables
1. Condition of peat
• Map/GIS layer of the spatial distribution of peat soils
• Status of peat soils
•Prioritised list of peat soil areas for future actions
•Review policy framework
•Review of practical restoration projects
• Stakeholder workshop (May 2008)
• Advice products
2. Policy
3. Evidence and gaps
Start
Review of current knowledge
Stakeholder Workshop
End?
September 07
Sept-March 08
May 08
Natural England - Carbon Management by Land Managers
Research Priorities
1. Develop a robust and verifiable methodology for accrediting carbon benefits
from peatland restoration projects, by:
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Quantify GHG flux from a geographically representative sample of degraded
peatlands - to obtain baseline
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Quantify GHG flux from restored peatlands identify net carbon benefits over
a range of time periods
2. Using data from (1) + national geographical analysis of condition of English
peatlands:
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Estimate current emissions and removals of GHGs from all English peatland
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Estimate potential total carbon benefit from programme of peatland
restoration
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Estimate future emissions from English peatlands using climate/land use
scenarios
3. Ascertain if the current Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF)
methodology used in the UK GHG Inventory is correctly estimating GHG
emissions and removals from upland peat/organic soils.
Climate Change and Uplands: Forest Soils and Water
Current Research Interests:
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Evaluation of C stocks in GB forests and impact of forestry practices (BioSoil, NIWT2)
Assessing impact of woodland removal for peatland restoration on C balance
(Greenhouse gas balance at Flanders Moss, Central Scotland; changes to peat
condition at two Scottish sites)
Assessing effects of climate change on forest-soil-water interactions (Long-term
monitoring studies at Coalburn, N England, Halladale, N Scotland, 12 catchments in
upland Wales and 5 Level II intensive forest monitoring sites)
Assessing role of shade and riparian woodland management in controlling thermal
stress to salmonid fish (New Forest).
Role of floodplain and riparian woodland in flood risk management
EA Business risks and science needs
• 1. Indicators to detect and report climate change impacts
on the environment
• 2. Capital investments (for water resources and flood
management) that target sites/regions of greatest risk
(improving regional models)
• 3. POMs that deliver intended and lasting benefits
• 4. Uptake and mainstreaming UKCIP08 climate change
scenarios in planning
• 5. Practical guidance on managing ecosystem change
We need to manage for change
• What realistic
measures can be
taken to minimise
impacts?
• Where are the critical
locations?
• Do we have
adequate policy tools
to deliver adaptation?
Distribution of UK uplands (after Averis et al, 2004)
Impacts on uplands: new experiences and increased pressure on
existing problems
Existing pressures:
Water quality - colour
Acid waters – slow recovery
Increased sensitivity and responsiveness
Carbon loss
Peat drying and erosion
Loss or shrinkage of wetlands
Increased soil and peat erosion
Increased transport sediments
New experiences:
Loss of carbon store?
Habitat loss and species change
Risk of fire
Bright future for British agriculture
Greater demand for scarcer water resource
Increased agriculture on upland fringe
Biofuels
Extending woodland
Carbon trading schemes?
Limiting and adapting to climate change in the uplands: a UK perspective
- Orr et al, in review
‘Upland condition is cause for concern’
Key research needs:
1. Soil C biophysical processes, flux, drivers
2. Land management controls on flood and drought risk
3. Impacts of climate change on freshwater ecology
Limitations to mitigation and adaptation
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Lack of rural spatial planning
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No regulation of land use
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Lack of recognition for services received downstream
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Lack of economic incentives to protect uplands (C sequestration
must be proved)
Research questions posed by land quality
6 questions
• Multiple benefits from restoration including
economic (costed) benefits
• Quantified carbon budgets related to land use and
management
• What services are lost from degraded peatlands
at what cost
• Geographical variation in peatland function?
• What will future climate change bring
• Geographical sensitivity to cc