NatureScot Research Report 1269 - Using peatland surface motion (bog breathing) to monitor Peatland Action sites.
Abstract
This project seeks to evaluate the applications of Interferometric satellite radar (InSAR) in measuring peat condition over selected peatland sites in Scotland. The main findings are: time series of peatland surface motion can be measured using InSAR; peatland surface motion is diagnostic of peatland condition; multi-annual velocity, peak timing, and amplitude, determined from the time series, can be used to produce automated peatland condition assessments; the relative efficacy of different peatland restoration techniques can be quantified using InSAR measures of peatland surface motion; and areas with elevated risk of peatland instability can be detected using peatland surface motion.