The conference formed a platform for exchange and discussion between scientists, landowners and managers and policy advisers, with a strong focus on climate change, and the early findings of the IUCN UK Commission of Inquiry on Peatlands.
This conference is part of a series of IUCN UK ‘Investing in Peatlands’ conferences over 2010-2012, with the next one planned for 20th -22nd June 2011 in Stirling.
Susan Davies, SNH and Martyn Howat, Commission of Inquiry jointly chaired the conference, and keynote talks by Professor Hans Joosten, Wetlands International and Professor Pete Smith, University of Aberdeen, focused on the international importance of peatlands for climate change mitigation and adaptation and UK climate targets and the role of UK peatlands.
Our competition for the best communication of a peatland issue ComPEAT! attracted a wide range of entries. Find out about the winning entries.
Conference proceedings
Eight key proposed actions came out of the conference:
- Effective restoration of peatlands
- A wider land use strategy, and economic incentives for restoration
- Collaborative working and early and continuing engagement with all stakeholders
- Development of good practice and standardisation of methods
- Long-term coordinated monitoring targeted at restoration benefits, and demonstration sites
- The Commission of Inquiry on Peatlands was called on to articulate knowledge gaps and communicate these in compelling way to funders and policy makers
- The plenum panel called for the benefits of peatland ecosystems to be communicated in single, clear and powerful messages
- The conference endorsed the proposal for the development of a UK Peat Hub as a national coordination point for peatland management, policy and research
Download full conference proceedings here.
Conference presentations
Download speaker information and abstracts here.
For workshop presentations click here.
Download conference presentations by clicking on the titles below.
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Introduction: the IUCN UK Peatland Programme Clifton Bain, Director, IUCN UK Peatland Programme |
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International importance of peatlands for climate change mitigation and adaptation Prof Hans Joosten, Universität Greifswald, Secretary-General International Mire Conservation Group |
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Climate Change: UK climate targets and context for mitigation and adaptation action Sam Fankhauser, UK Committee on Climate Change |
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Peatlands and the climate challenge in the UK Prof Pete Smith, University of Aberdeen |
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Introduction to Inquiry: aims and process Steve Chapman, Macaulay Land Use Research Institute, Inquiry scientific co-ordinator |
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LCN review 1 - Extent and condition of UK peatlands Matthew Shepherd et al, Natural England |
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IUCN review 2 - Peatlands: climate change mitigation and adaptation potential Fred Worrall et al, Durham University |
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IUCN review 3 - Peatland hydrology Jill Labadz et al, Nottingham Trent University |
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IUCN review 4 - Impacts of peatland restoration Paul Lunt et al, University of Plymouth |
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IUCN review 5 - Peatland biodiversity Penny Anderson et al, Penny Anderson Associates |
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Living with Environmental Change Prof Andrew Watkinson, Director, Living with Environmental Change |
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IUCN/ EH review 6 - Peatland historic environment Ben Gearey et al, University of Birmingham |
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IUCN review 7 - Impacts of burning management on peatlands Fred Worrall et al, Durham University |
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IUCN review 8 - Policy measures for sustainable management Mark Reed et al, University of Aberdeen |
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Moorlands Indicators of Climate Change Initiative (MICCI) Chris Robinson, Peak District National Park Authority / Association of National Park Authorities |
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Communicating peatland management advice Simon Thorp, Secretary, Scotland’s Moorland Forum |
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Effective communication in practice: the Flow Country Norrie Russell, Senior Site Manager, Forsinard Flows Reserve, RSPB |
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Telling stories: knowledge exchange across science, policy and practice Jeremy Philipson, Assistant Director, Rural Economy and Land Use (RELU) Programme |
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National Ecosystem Assessment and the Peatlands Inquiry Prof Steve Albon, Macaulay Land Use Research Institute |
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Proposal for a UK Peat Research Hub Clifton Bain & Aletta Bonn, IUCN UK Peatland Programme |
