In October 2024, the EPA-funded Peat-Hub Ireland (PHI) project launched the PHI Database, a ground-breaking open-access resource designed to boost research on Irish peatlands. Created by University College Dublin researchers Florence Renou-Wilson, David Wilson, and Kate Flood, this database offers a comprehensive collection of research findings on peatlands, covering studies from 2000 to 2023. With 900 records spanning themes like biodiversity, climate change, archaeology, and water management, it’s a must-have tool for anyone interested in the future of Ireland’s peatlands.

The PHI database aims to raise awareness amongst researchers and the wider stakeholder community engaging in peatlands research in Ireland and further afield. Alongside the ‘living’ glossary of peatland terminology, the database will also help researchers gain a greater understanding of work from other disciplines to overcome academic silos and facilitate incorporation of insights from a range of disciplines. It will also help researchers avoid duplication of effort, raise awareness of previous research and established methodologies, build upon existing data to identify research gaps and new projects, and encourage collaborative work within the peatland scientific community.

The Peat-Hub Ireland Database is freely accessible to all, making it an essential tool for researchers, policymakers, and conservationists. You can explore the database at this link. The replicable methodology and other project outputs are available on the project website.

By offering this resource, the creators hope to raise awareness, encourage collaboration, and guide sustainable peatland management for future generations.

Citation: Renou-Wilson, F., D. Wilson, and K. Flood. 2024. Peat-Hub-Ireland Database Version 1.0. DOI:10.5281/zenodo.13911873.