Peatlands cover around 10 to 12 percent of the UK’s landscape, and their impact reaches far beyond their boundaries. Formed over thousands of years from layers of waterlogged, carbon-rich vegetation, these landscapes are among the planet’s most powerful natural carbon stores. When they stay wet, they lock in carbon; when they dry out, they release it back into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change.

That’s why understanding how water moves through peatlands is so critical, and it all begins with reliable data. With the right monitoring tools, conservation teams can track subtle changes, measure restoration success, and protect one of the UK’s most valuable natural resources.

Peatlands don’t just store carbon; they shape how water moves across the landscape. Their high surface roughness helps to intercept, filter and store water: this natural process reduces flooding, supports cleaner river systems, and helps maintain stable flows for many of the UK’s drinking water catchments.

Keeping these systems healthy means keeping them wet. That requires consistent water-level monitoring, even in harsh and unpredictable conditions. In-Situ’s reliable, field-ready instruments make it possible to collect the long-term data conservation teams need, even in the most remote and challenging sites.

Anyone who has worked in peatlands knows it is no small task. These sites are remote, difficult to access, and exposed to extreme weather. The bogs themselves “breathe,” expanding and contracting as water levels change, which makes it tough to establish consistent reference points. Add in acidic water, shifting terrain, and harsh winter conditions, and it’s clear why collecting reliable data can be a challenge. 

Manual site visits are time-consuming, and rough conditions often lead to drift or data gaps. That’s why conservation teams depend on instruments that can stay in place for months or even years. When every data point matters, dependable technology makes all the difference.

In-Situ’s water-level and telemetry solutions are built for environments like these. The Rugged TROLL series is made from titanium, providing exceptional durability and corrosion resistance in the acidic, oxygen-poor conditions often found in peat bogs. With proven reliability and precision performance, these instruments deliver accurate data even in the toughest conditions. The VuLink telemetry system keeps teams connected by automatically transmitting field data to the cloud, reducing the need for site visits and maintenance. 

Reliable data is the foundation of successful restoration. It helps teams understand how rewetting efforts are performing, detect changes in water storage and flow, and demonstrate measurable results to funders and stakeholders. These insights don’t just guide projects; they help safeguard the future of our peatlands.

Healthy peatlands are key to a healthy climate and protecting them begins with dependable data. In-Situ is proud to support conservation partners across the UK with monitoring solutions designed for accuracy, reliability, and long-term performance in even the toughest conditions. Through our conservation partnerships, we aim to make reliable, long-term monitoring more accessible for restoration projects of all sizes.

In-Situ is grateful to the IUCN UK Peatland Programme for the opportunity to share how reliable water monitoring supports peatland restoration across the UK.