From forest to bog: eDNA metabarcoding tracks peatland restoration through soil microbes

Peatlands are globally significant carbon stores that regulate hydrology and support distinctive biodiversity, yet many Scottish peatlands have been degraded by historical land use. Restoration efforts are ongoing in many parts of Scotland, with ambitious national targets. However, how below-ground communities respond to this remains largely understudied. Here, we attempt to address this and present the results of a Scotland-wide survey of below-ground communities in Forest to Bog restoration sites.

Dr Cristian Navarro Waggershauser is an ecologist with a background on forest management, biodiversity, and the application of molecular tools to study species interactions. Currently based at Institute of Biodiversity and Freshwater Conservation at UHI Inverness, Cristian collaborates with Forestry and Land Scotland, Cairngorms Connect, among other government agencies, NGOs, and academic organizations on projects exploring forest and peatland ecosystems. Cristian currently supervises two PhD students exploring the role of feral pigs in Scottish landscapes and the combined effects of fire and peatland restoration towards soil communities. Through these efforts, Cristian aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of ecological systems and sustainable land management practices.

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