Satellite technology used to monitor how bogs ‘breathe’

With peatland restoration seen as important in the fight against climate change, this could provide experts with a better estimate of the amount, distribution and condition of carbon stored in Scotland’s peatlands.

Studying how bogs ‘breathe’ could help monitor efforts to restore peatlands. Picture: West Arkengarthdale Moor/PA

Using satellite technology to study how bogs “breathe” could help build a better picture of the condition of Scotland’s peatland, experts have said.

New research, published on International Bog Day, demonstrated the potential of measuring bog “breathing” – or peatland surface motions – to monitor the condition of sites, and possibly even carbon emissions from them.