Starting in 2023, Exo Environmental have carried out a number of peatland surveys in the Humberhead Levels on behalf of Yorkshire Wildlife Trust (YWT). This 2000km2  national character area was once totally covered by the Glacial Lake Humber during the last ice age, which provided the perfect conditions for the creation and preservation of peat. However, a large portion of this peat has slowly been degrading over time due to increasing human activities.

These surveys were undertaken to assess the quantity and quality of the peat present in order to determine whether or not the YWT’s sites were eligible for restoration grants in accordance with the Peatland Code.

Each survey followed a similar methodology. After determining the sample locations using GIS, and getting the go-ahead from YWT, the team headed up north to carry out the fieldwork. The soil at each sampling point was then extracted using a hand corer, Coring to 60cm if no peat was present, continuing to core down to 100cm if peat was present, and using a peat probe if peat extended beyond a metre deep. The prevalence and quality of peat fluctuated greatly between sites. Some contained very little, whilst others had deposits stretching as deep as 4.2 metres and some was even classified as H1 on the Von Post scale – the highest quality possible. In total, we conducted over 800 cores across four surveys!

After each survey, the data was processed and compiled into a final report to help YWT assess the sites suitability for peatland restoration funding.

In late 2024, Exo Environmental conducted a peatland survey on behalf of Forestry England at Pye House Farm near Brigg in North Lincolnshire. This site was originally an arable farm but has since been purchased by Forestry England who hoped to plant trees on the land.

However, before the vital project get underway, it was important to check if there was any peat present at the site which could be negatively impacted by the tree planting process. Forestry England then reached out to Exo Environmental to conduct a peatland survey.

Like any peatland survey, we first plotted the sampling points using GIS before heading up north begin the survey. At each location 1 metre of soil was extracted, with soil horizons recorded following Natural England guidance, including peat classification according to the Von Post scale.  

From the 86 cores undertaken, only a small quantity of peat was found, and so Forestry England were able to proceed with their project.

Back in 2023, Exo Environmental conducted a peat survey at Cavenham Heath National Nature Reserve on behalf of Natural England. This survey aimed to uncover the general composition of the upper 100cm of soil, with particular focus on mapping the presence and extent of peat.

The site consisted of upland heath, flooded woodland and fens adjacent to the River Lark, which snaked through the whole reserve. 97 sampling points were mapped equally across all three of these habitat types.

The observed soil profiles aligned with what we anticipated: The majority of the peat was found in the fens and woodland, with its quality generally increasing with depth. Upper layers consisted of completely humified/oxidised H9-10 peat, whilst deeper portions were often classified as low sapric H7 or high hemic H6, due to their high fibrous content (mostly reed stems).

In contrast, the upland heaths contained little to no peat at all, instead mostly comprising of sandy loam or sand with a high level of flint, which made coring somewhat challenging at times.

This data was recorded in a spreadsheet before being processed and sent back to Natural England, informing their continued management of the Nature Reserve.