New Peat Map for England

May 15, 2025

This week Natural England published the much anticipated England Peat Map. Using a combination of field measurements and cutting-edge modelling techniques, the Peat Map has, for the first time, mapped peat and peaty soils across England at all depth measurements above 0 cm. In addition to the mapping of depth, the Peat Map has also comprehensively mapped the vegetation cover types revealing that only 1% of England’s peatlands are dominated by Sphagnum mosses, while three quarters are covered by vegetation associated with drier conditions or bare peat. This underscores the extent of the restoration challenge which lies ahead, highlighted in our UK Peatland Strategy progress report last year. This was also reiterated by the Committee on Climate Change in the 7th Carbon Budget published in February 2025. The data paint a clear picture for the first time of the extent of England’s peatlands, the type of vegetation overlaying it and the drainage features associated with each site.

As Natural England state in their accompanying blog “what you can’t measure, you can’t manage”. The England Peat Map for the first time provides a vital tool for the peatland practitioner community to target restoration and management activities, for policy makers to make more informed regulatory decisions, and to inform scientific research.

Bare peat

Photo Credit: Lyndon Marquis
Person smiling and pointing at a sign saying '#BeMoreMoss'. Credit Vicky Akerman
Announcing Peat-Fest South-West 2025 – a celebration of our peatland connectionsThe Art and Energy Collective has been awarded a grant by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to…
Windfarm on peatland site
National Policy Statements public consultationOpportunity to contribute to public consultation on National Policy Statements to support Clean…
Line of fire being set by a vehicle with people on the back as part of swaling. Credit Heather Lowther (Creative Commons)
Public consultation on heather and grass burning regulations in EnglandThe IUCN UK Peatland Programme has responded to Defra’s proposal to protect a greater extent of…
Cross section of bare peat
New Peat Map for EnglandThis week Natural England published the much anticipated England Peat Map which highlights the…
IUCN World Conservation Congress logo
Peatland motion headed to World Conservation Congress for considerationThe IUCN UK Peatland Programme-led motion to develop a unified definition of peatlands has…
Area of burnt vegetation on national park in Northumberland
A collection of three Natural England reports marks a step change for English peatlandsWe summarise three new reports from Natural England which have important implications for English…
Neolithic trackway on Hatfield Moors. Credit: Henry Chapman Uni of Birmingham
New publication: Tracks and roads on peatlandsThe IUCN UK Peatland Programme are pleased to publish our latest brief focusing on the impacts of…
Peatland landscape showing flux tower and solar panel with a blue sky and hills in the background. Image credit Hollie Cooper, UKCEH
Funding announced for greenhouse gas reduction solutions on peatlandsThe UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology is seeking proposals for projects up to £75,000 to advance…
Hare's tail cottongrass on Humberhead levels
Committee on Climate Change (CCC) 7th Carbon Budget Report - a response from IUCN UK Peatland ProgrammeThe IUCN UK Peatland Programme welcomes this week the publication of the Committee on Climate…
Water vole sitting with blackberries
New species showcase - Water voleContinuing the spotlight on peatland biodiversity, our first Species Showcase of 2025 is the Water…
Digger being used to carry out peat bog restoration. Photo: Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust
Adoption of University of Cumbria PhD student’s carbon calculator brings national and international significanceThis week University of Cumbria and Barker and Bland Ltd.’s innovative carbon calculator has been…
Image advertising launch of the CivTech Round 10 Challenge
CiVTech innovators leading drive for advances within Peatland and Woodland Carbon CodesBringing efficiences to the Peatland Code and Woodland Carbon Code is the focus for three…