This domain lies entirely in South West England. The landscape is a product of numerous fluctuations from warm temperate to Arctic 'tundra' acting over a long period of time (since the Neogene). The residual deposits overlying this relict landscape resulted from multi-phase reworking associated with periglacial processes, such as solifluction and frost shattering.

The domain has minimal cover of superficial deposits (~10%). Organic deposits form about 1% of the area (~13% of the area of superficial deposits).

Localized development of peat may occur within the alluvial floodplains and in coastal areas associated with submerged forests.

Mires (peat accumulating habitats) are present as blanket peat, peat in valleys and fenland — all of which occur across the districts of Dartmoor and Exmoor. Blanket peat is the most common mire type with over 3000 hectares present within the Exmoor National Park. Blanket peat covers the central moorland but it has been dried out by centuries of moorland reclamation, agricultural drainage and domestic peat-cutting. Pollen evidence shows that much of the upland areas were once wooded and peat development is a result of woodland clearance, burning and grazing.

Mire classification (and guide to dominance within the domain)

Subjective guide to dominance within this domain	Topogenous mires	Soligenous mires	Ombrogenous mires
Dominant			Blanket mire
Locally present	Basin mire Floodplain mire	Valley mire Spring mire	Raised mire
Rare	Open water transition mire Schwingmoor

Click on the mire names for more information.

Contact

For further information please contact Marieta Garcia-Bajo

• What was the climate like in our geological past (Palaeoclimate)?
• Sea level change
• Coastal change
• Coastal erosion and coastal landslide studies
• Coastal pollution case studies
• Carbon
• Climate change and geohazards
• Groundwater and climate change
• Carbon capture and storage (CCS)