Uplands and climate change: government agency research interests

1. 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

2. 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?

3. 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?

4. Protecting and enhancing peat soils Objectives • To determine the status of peat soils in order to identify and start to address priority targets for action. • To co-ordinate Defra, EA and NE work on peat soils. To liaise with Devolved Administrations. • To determine cost effective and practical management options. • To determine suitable policy levers to protect and restore peat soils. • To reduce the horticultural use of peat and promote peat alternatives. • To influence domestic and international policy relating to peat use and management.

5. Covers upland and lowland peat soils in England – not organic-mineral or mineral soils

6. Project deliverables and products Start September 07 Review of current knowledge Sept-March 08 Stakeholder Workshop May 08 End?

7. 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: • Quantify GHG flux from a geographically representative sample of degraded peatlands - to obtain baseline • 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: • Estimate current emissions and removals of GHGs from all English peatland • Estimate potential total carbon benefit from programme of peatland restoration • 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.

8. Climate Change and Uplands: Forest Soils and Water Current Research Interests: • 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

9. 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

10. 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)

11. 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?

12. 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 • Lack of rural spatial planning • No regulation of land use • Lack of recognition for services received downstream • Lack of economic incentives to protect uplands (C sequestration must be proved)

13. 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