Students head for Peak moorland to throw light on climate change

HUNDREDS of students from Yorkshire and the Midlands are taking part in studies of Peak District moorlands this week as part of a project to discover the extent of climate change.

Pupils from schools in South and West Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire are carrying out studies as part of the week-long Moorlands as Indicators of Climate Change Initiative.

MICCI, as it is known, is organised by the Peak District National Park's learning team based at Losehill Hall near Castleton, and involves groups of 13 to 18-year-olds.

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Results will be passed to scientists at Manchester University and the Peak District-based Moors For the Future Partnership, which aims to safeguard the environment.

Yesterday's group of youngsters included pupils from Sheffield King Ecgbert School, who were studying Burbage North moor near Ringinglow and students from Long Eaton School, Notts, who studied Stanage Edge.

They measured peat depth, the water table, vegetation and wildlife and pupils and teachers were encouraged to design their own experiments using sensors and satellite technology.

Peat moorlands have been identified as important in the battle against climate change because they have the potential to retain more carbon than huge forests.