Completed research projects

The final reports of the completed research projects are available to download from the links at the bottom of this page.   

The differential response of vegetation to grip-blocking 

Dr Alona Armstrong then of the University of Leeds carried out a pilot study to investigate the reasons behind observed differences in the rate of revegetation of blocked grips.

Sphagna as management indicators

Clare O'Reilly of Ptyxis Ecology undertook a field survey and literature review to determine the role that Sphagnum moss species could play as management indicators on blanket bogs in the North Pennines.

Understanding moorland aquatic invertebrate ecology to inform biodiversity conservation and sustainable land management

Dr Lee Brown and colleagues at the University of Leeds carried out surveys and a pilot study to examine the influence of drainage, drain blocking and heather burning on aquatic invertebrates in moorland streams.

Short-term effectiveness of drain-blocking in suppressing enzymic peat decomposition and DOC export

Prof Ed Maltby and colleagues at the University of Liverpool undertook a pilot study to investigate the process of peat decomposition and how this is affected by drainage and restoration.

Assessing successful strategies for grip-blocking in the North Pennines AONB

Dr Fred Worrall from Durham University undertook a detailed survey of factors affecting the success of grip-blocking.