March has been an exciting month in Thurso, Caithness. Scientists, practitioners and students from all over the UK came together for the second Flow Country Research Conference organised by North Highland College UHI’s Environmental Research Institute. This was a fantastic opportunity to exchange ideas and knowledge on the current research taking place in the Flows – the single largest carbon store in the UK and a refuge for many unique species such as the carnivorous Sundew Drosera spp.
The Flow Country is said to be the largest area of blanket bog in the world, however, the expansion of commercial forestry in the 1970’s and 1980’s has led to the loss of large areas of open blanket bog habitat. Current management aims to restore afforested areas back to fully functioning, carbon accumulating peatland ecosystems. The main aim of my project is to evaluate how microbial communities, in particular Testate amoebae, respond to forest-to-bog restoration.
I presented a poster of some of the work I have been carrying out as part of my Natural Talent Apprentice Scheme. There was a ‘poster speed session’ when we were given just 2 minutes to capture the interest of the audience and entice others to look at the posters and work on display. Alongside the posters, local artists were invited to display some of their creative work inspired by the Flow Country peatlands, integrating science and art gave a really warm and inspiring touch to the conference.
The conference was a great opportunity to network with others and I was delighted to meet previous Natural Talent Apprentices and learn more about the positive work they are currently involved in. I look forward to the next Flow Country Research conference!