A pilot project in Lewis that monitors peat via the internet has been extended thanks to its “significant success.”

Trials carried out at Carloway have allowed researchers to capture vital data about the health of peat bogs using remote internet-enabled sensors. It is hoped the information being uncovered will help restore degraded peatlands.

The Scottish government-funded study monitored an area of peatland in Carloway over 12 months.

The award-winning project used 10 strategically-positioned Internet of Things sensors to record real-time information about water table dynamics in the area of degraded peatland before its restoration. The data gathered is automatically sent to an online dashboard, enabling researchers to keep tabs on the site without the need to visit it in person.

Healthy peatlands usually have a water table near the surface all year round, an important benchmark of a peatland’s condition.

NatureScot Peatland ACTION aims to continue the monitoring during and after peatland restoration at the site to evaluate restoration outcomes.

The peatland study was a collaboration between NatureScot Peatland ACTION, digital connectivity specialist FarrPoint, the Carloway Estate Trust, Scottish Water, and Scottish Futures Trust.

The project recently won the ‘Product/Service Innovation’ award at ScotlandIS’s Digital Technology Awards.