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# Peatland Survey and Evaluation

Penny Anderson Associates Ltd. ( PAA ) has a long established reputation for the survey, evaluation and restoration of moorland, heathland and wetland habitats. In recent years, in response to a number of challenging peatland projects, PAA has developed a further specialism in peatland survey and evaluation. Making use of existing peat survey techniques, modern and bespoke surveying technology and equipment, and the use of GIS , remote sensing and differential global positioning systems, PAA has developed a set of robust and efficient methodologies to provide a cost effective, reliable and insightful survey and evaluation service for these important ecosystems.

PAA offer a range of peatland survey and evaluation capabilities, including:

- Peat depth surveys;
- Peat core sampling;
- Surface elevation analysis using topographic survey and remotely sensed digital terrain models;
- Peat sample analyses (including pH, nutrient loading, carbon content, bulk storage, humification, pollen analysis and structural analysis);

PAA has undertaken survey and evaluation on a range of different peatland locations and habitats, including:

- Killhope Moor, North Pennines (upland degraded and intact blanket bog);
- Windy Hill, Londonderry, Northern Ireland (proposed windfarm on upland peat);
- Glasson Moss, Cumbria (Lowland raised bog, part of South Solway Mosses National Nature Reserve);
- Martin Mere, Southport, Lancashire (lowland peat – current and relic wetlands sediment);

Peat Depth Surveying
PAA has developed and perfected a technique for rapid and detailed survey of peat depth. The site to be surveyed is assessed using a Geographic Information System ( GIS ) in terms of area, topography, land use and level of peat degradation using a combination of aerial photography and terrain data. GIS software to create, for example, models of peat depth, peat volume or erosion/deposition budgets.

Peat Core Sampling
PAA uses a Russian style D-shaped corer to extract complete cores for further analyses of peat characteristics.

Natural England Standards For Peatland Survey
PAA , in partnership with Natural England and the North Pennines AONB Peatland Programme, has developed a standard methodology for the survey and assessment of English peatlands.

For more details on our services relating to
peatland survey, please contact us

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