Eyes on the Bog

A long-term monitoring initiative.

Image: Mointeach, Isle of Skye
© Emma Goodyer

Eyes on the Bog

Eyes on the Bog provides a scientifically robust, repeatable, low tech, long-term monitoring initiative. 

The standardised methodology enables individual peatland sites to be consistently monitored across the UK, creating a network of comparable sites. The initiative employs cheap, simple techniques and modern technology to enable useful monitoring information to be collected by peatland community employees or volunteers on:

  •           Peat subsidence and carbon loss

  •          Carbon capture

  •          Water table behaviour

  •          Peat soil condition

  •          Vegetation status, structure and composition

  •          Historical context of change and current trajectories

This suite of metrics provides reliable information which may be used to effectively inform management interventions, refine metrics for the Peatland Code, help to test long term climate predictions and inform assumptions about the condition and function of UK peatlands. 

The initiative not only provides an accessible robust monitoring methodology, it also provides inspiration and support for peatland projects to engage the wider community in monitoring the condition and long-term changes of peatlands. Totemic markers installed at appropriate locations give quality assurance to established Eyes on the Bog sites and provide an opportunity to work closely with local artists, promote sponsorship from local businesses and encourage people to submit fixed point photographs, creating a visual archive of long-term landscape changes, and celebrating the importance of peatlands.

To find out what, why and how to get involved in Eyes on the Bog download our introductory leaflet  

Eyes on the Bog leaflet

For more more detailed information, equipment list and methodology please see the Eyes on the Bog Manual.

Eyes on the Bog manual

Eyes on the Bog Champion, Jack Clough (University of East London) and Gabriela Lopez Gonzalez (University of Leeds) explain more about the Eyes on the Bog initiative and the PeatDataHub during the our conference in December 2020: 

 

 

For more information or to register a site please contact info@iucn.org.uk

Molinia Mulching Agglestone Mire, remover higher tussocks to increase the connectivity of the floodplain (c) Sally Wallington
Dorset peatland restorationThe Dorset Peat Partnership completed the first of their sixteen peatland restoration sites in…
Work begins at Duchal Moor. © Giulia Spilotros/Glasgow Green Network Clyde Valley
Council leads the way with major peatland restoration project A three-year project to restore an area of peatland larger than 780 football pitches in Inverclyde…
Eyes on the Bog logo
Funding for Eyes on the Bog users Our Eyes on the Bog Fund aims to support existing Eyes on the Bog users to purchase new equipment,…
Forest to Bog Restoration cover image and example spread
New report showcases successes in forest to bog restoration'Forest to Bog Restoration: Demonstrating Success', the fourth publication the series, highlights…
Sphagnum pulchrum © Brian Eversham
Don't miss our 'Measuring biodiversity: from principles to practice' webinar!Join the IUCN UK Peatland Programme for this free webinar as we explore traditional and…
Sphagnum lindbergii (c) Emma Hinchliffe
Introducing our species showcasesThroughout 2024, we are celebrating peatland biodiversity through a series of monthly showcases…
Emperor moth (C) Pete Quinn
Come and volunteer with us!We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Communications Volunteer who can help us with our…
Snowdon (c) Marian Pye
Fill in the PeatQuest Survey to shape global peatland researchThe PeatQuest Research Project team are inviting you to participate in their global survey, as your…
Peter Jones
New Year Honours for peatland specialistNatural Resources Wales’ senior peatland specialist, Dr Peter Jones, has been awarded an MBE for…
Saltyco Engine Farm Paludiculture trials (C) E Hinchliffe
Paludiculture call for evidence for Peatland CodePlease fill in our survey! We are inviting evidence for all paludiculture sites and all crop types…
Screenshot of Virtual Peatland Pavilion
New Virtual Peatland PavilionThe IUCN UK Peatland Programme and Richard Lindsay have produced a new Virtual Peatland Pavilion,…
Clifton Bain (c) IUCN UK PP
Clifton Bain retires after 14 yearsAfter 14 years at the IUCN UK Peatland Programme, our Programme Advisor Clifton Bain, is retiring.…