Opportunity Mapping

The Fenland landscape contains a variety of soil types ranging from mineral soils to deep peat which forms the foundation of one of the UK’s most productive farming regions. Decades of drainage and cultivation have transformed soil conditions, leaving 1980s-era maps outdated and creating a significant evidence gap. Fenland SOIL’s Landscape Opportunity Mapping addresses this by generating an up‑to‑date, field‑scale understanding of soil type, agricultural productivity, and water management. So far, we have mapped 42,117 hectares which is fed into the England Peat Map to support national priorities and influence policy to balance productive agriculture with climate change mitigation.

Using a phased, farmer‑led approach, the project integrates local knowledge with soil classification, productivity, and water management. Ground‑truthing through borehole sampling has focused on peat‑dominated farms, ensuring the mapping reflects real conditions and ongoing soil transitions. Farmers have played a central role in validating outputs, with peer review and workshops highlighting the importance of significant features. Between 2021 and 2026, supported by multiple grant programmes, Fenland SOIL has mapped 16 Internal Drainage Board areas and produced detailed spatial outputs on soil type, productivity, water management, and landscape opportunity laying the groundwork for a more resilient, diverse, and environmentally balanced Fenland future.