Research Project
ERI Joins £2.7 Million FutureMoss Project to Develop Drought-Resilient Peatland Moss
Researchers at the Environmental Research Institute (ERI), part of UHI North, West and Hebrides, are taking part in a new £2.7 million research project investigating how Sphagnum moss could be made more resilient to drought and changing weather patterns.
FutureMoss is a two-year project led by the James Hutton Institute and funded by the Advanced Research and Innovation Agency (ARIA). The project brings together researchers from the Hutton, ERI, the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEH) and the University of Dundee.
The project will investigate naturally occurring variation in Sphagnum populations across the UK and Ireland to identify mosses that are better able to withstand dry conditions. Researchers will then explore ways of producing new drought-tolerant varieties, including controlled breeding methods that have not previously been established for Sphagnum.
Sphagnum mosses are fundamental to healthy peatlands, which play important roles in carbon storage, biodiversity and water retention. However, the mosses are particularly vulnerable to drought because they lack roots and stomata and instead rely on their structure to absorb and retain water.
Dr Mascha Bischoff, Peatland Chemical Ecologist at UHI and an ERI researcher, said the project will build on the natural differences already found between Sphagnum mosses.
“Sphagnum mosses already show natural variations in how they respond to drought. FutureMoss will explore how we can use these differences to help peatlands adapt to climate change.”
The research comes as drought and changing weather patterns pose increasing challenges for peatland ecosystems. By identifying and developing more drought-resilient mosses, FutureMoss aims to investigate new approaches to supporting peatland restoration and maintaining the functions of these important ecosystems.
The launch of FutureMoss has also attracted attention at the Scottish Parliament. A Standard Motion, S7M-01378, was lodged on 28th September 2026 by Highlands and Islands MSP Kristopher Leask, recognising UHI researchers’ involvement in the project. The motion specifically commends ERI for its contribution to FutureMoss and highlights the project's potential to support peatland function and restoration.
The motion has been supported by a number of MSPs and records ERI's role as part of UHI and its work advancing scientific understanding of contemporary environmental issues from its base in Thurso.
FutureMoss represents a significant new area of research for ERI, bringing together expertise in peatland ecology and environmental science to explore how these important ecosystems could become more resilient to a changing climate.
Read more:
Scottish Parliament: Recognising UHI Researchers’ Involvement in the FutureMoss Project
