Are you interested in knowing more about peatland restoration and its links to the hydrology, ecology or the historic environment?

On this page you will find a wide variety of case studies and reports from research SWPP and partners have conducted, commissioned, or been involved with, all with the aim of adding to our understanding of these fascinating and complex environments.

Research, reports and case studies

Using GPS to map reshaped gullies on Dartmoor. This helps us to put our dipwells back exactly where they were before, and record how the gully edges have changed over time.

From dragonfly surveys to water quality research, peat depth measurements and camping out on Dartmoor to get those crucial dawn bird counts, the SWPP monitoring team cover a range of tasks throughout the year.

This short video captures the team supported by volunteers and Devon Biodiversity Records Centre, conducting a vegetation transect at an area of conifer to bog conversion on Bodmin Moor.

Monitoring change

‘As soon as you do the work, the invertebrates return.’

Peatland restoration is a long-term process. It takes years for peat to form and the water table within the degraded peat to be raised and stabilised.

But some benefits are near-instant. The change in water retention in the landscape does wonders for insects and other animals. Here’s a short video of the SWPP team monitoring dragonfly species type and count out on Dartmoor after restoration works have taken place.

Evidencing impact

Hydrology, Greenhouse Gases and Carbon

Mires on the Moors Science and Evidence Report - Hydrology, Greenhouse Gases, Agriculture and Carbon: University of Exeter (2020)
A report by our partners at University of Exeter looking at data analysis, reports and case studies of peatlands and peatland restoration in the South West between 2015-2020.
Covering topics including:

- Exmoor shallow peat restoration, hydrology, water quality and methane emissions.

- Dartmoor deep peat extent and condition mapping, greenhouse gas fluxes and dissolved organic carbo runoff.

- Knowledge gaps and future research

Sphagnum introduction, boundary ditch and associated Natural Flood Management works on shallow peat - WINEP - 2025: Long Holcombe, Exmoor , Exe Head, Exmoor , Alderman’s Barrow Allotment, Exmoor , Halscombe Allotment, Exmoor
Sphagnum mosses are a key plant in holding back water and forming peat. The above 4 case studies present the information and evidence of sphagnum recovery trials that were set up within South West Water’s Natural Environment Programme 2010-2020 River Exe Drinking Water Protected Area (DrWPA) schemes.
Hydrology Case Study: Prison Farm, Dartmoor (2024)
SWPP uses dipwells (tubes in the ground with dataloggers collecting information every 15 minutes suspended within) as one method to assess the height and stability of the water table within areas of peatland before, during and after restoration works. This case study presents data from one restoration site on mid-Dartmoor as an interim report whilst ongoing data collection continues.

Carbon Audit Report: SWPP (2025)
Our monitoring team undertook a detailed carbon audit of restoration activities across the partnership. Once we had calculated the emissions associated with our work, we examined the other side of the equation: the estimated carbon savings achieved through peatland restoration, using guidance from the IUCN Peatland Code.
The estimated carbon benefits of restoration on a sample site significantly outweighed the emissions generated by carrying out the work. This demonstrates the substantial return on investment that peatland restoration can deliver and highlights the value of the dedicated teams and contractors working to restore these landscapes.

Ecology

Vegetation Monitoring Report (DBRC) - (2024)
Report from Devon Biodiversity Records Centre summarising the results from vegetation monitoring transects, analysis and comparison of the 2024 data with previous monitoring carried out.
Mire Invertebrate Survey Report (D Boyce) - (2024)
A thorough invertebrate survey conducted by ecologist David Boyce for the SWPP, looking at pitfall trapping, ground and spot searching and sweep netting on 5 restoration sites on Bodmin Moor, Exmoor and Dartmoor. Includes methodology, results, key species and habitat characteristics.
Dartmoor Bird Survey (RSPB) - (2024)
A summary report of an RSPB Dartmoor breeding bird survey focussing on upland species and their potential responses to restoration works, including snipe, meadow pippet, dunlin, curlew, skylark and teal.
Ecology Case Study Park Pit (Cornwall) - (2025)
An overview of the vegetation, insects and monitoring using photography of a 2024 peatland restoration site at Park Pit, an ex-china clay extraction site on Bodmin Moor.
South West Dragonfly Survey Report (2025)
SWPP report looking at the methodology, rationale, data collection and analysis of the response of dragonflies and damselfies - key indicator species in the presence of water and health of peatlands - following restoration interventions at 4 sites across the SW region.

Turf Cutting on Exmoor, An Archaeological and Historical Study - H Riley (2014)
An exploration of the heritage, culture and extent of Exmoor’s turf cutting past from the 13 Century onwards.
Holocene Carbon Accumulation and Vegetation Change, Priddacombe Downs, Bodmin Moor - R Fyfe and L Scoble (2022)
Palaeoecological and carbon analysis of the peat at Priddacombe Downs, an area of restoration on Bodmin Moor.
Palaeoenvironmental Assessment, Alderman’s Barrow Allotment - Wessex Archaeology (2023)
A palaeoecological assessment report commissioned following findings of wood and insect remains within the peat during restoration works on Exmoor.
Cranmere Pool, Dartmoor: An Assessment of Historical Sources - P Newman (2024)
Images, fictional literature, poetry, art and photography collated to give an overview of the history of Cranmere Pool
Palaeoecological Analysis of Peatland Sites across the South West of England - Fyfe et al. (2025)
Palaeoecological and carbon analysis of the peat at two restoration sites on Dartmoor and West Penwith, assessing the impact of post-1800 activities on its hydrology, peat condition, and peat development potential.

Historic Environment and Palaeoenvironment

Peatland Systems and Restoration

Agricultural Productivity and Peatland Restoration - PhD Thesis (2017)
This study examines the productivity of different upland habitats in order to determine how ecosystem change has affected current agricultural productivity, and how it might affect productivity in the future.
Monitoring and Restoration Summary - Prison Farm, Dartmoor - (2024)
Analysis of vegetation, dipwell and fixed-point photography data collected from restoration site on mid-Dartmoor.
Wool Block Trial Report - Dartmoor (2025)
Restoring shallow peats is particularly challenging and requires innovative techniques and often importing materials to retain water, protect carbon stores and support vegetation recovery. In 2023, the SWPP trialled the use of locally sourced Dartmoor wool as a novel restoration material, exploring its potential as a low carbon, nature based alternative to coir.