Researchers Launched FutureMoss to Combat Peatland Drought
The two-year project aims to develop drought-tolerant Sphagnum moss varieties to bolster peatland restoration efforts.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Botany
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The James Hutton Institute has launched the FutureMoss research project with £2.7 million in funding from the Advanced Research and Innovation Agency. This research-stage initiative aims to identify and develop varieties of Sphagnum moss capable of surviving in drier conditions.
Why it matters
Peatlands depend on Sphagnum moss for healthy function, but the plant is highly vulnerable to drought due to its lack of roots and stomata. Developing resilient moss strains could be essential for maintaining ecosystem health as climate conditions shift.
The FutureMoss project is backed by £2.7 million in total funding, with £2 million allocated specifically to the James Hutton Institute. The research will occur over a two-year period.
The players
James Hutton Institute
A Scotland-based research organization focused on land, crops, and environmental sciences.
Advanced Research and Innovation Agency
A UK government funding body that supports high-risk, high-reward research programs.
The details
Sphagnum moss lacks roots and stomata—the microscopic pores on plant surfaces that regulate gas exchange—making it particularly susceptible to desiccation. Researchers will survey populations across the UK and Ireland to analyze the genetics, biology, and chemical responses of moss variants that have demonstrated a natural tolerance to dry conditions. By understanding these mechanisms, the team intends to breed varieties better suited to survive in a warming climate.
Timeline
September 24, 2026: The research project was officially launched.
Two-year duration: The timeline for the FutureMoss project.
The Tech Race
The FutureMoss project operates as part of the Accelerated Adaptation programme, which seeks to improve ecosystem resilience. This initiative represents a targeted effort to secure the biological infrastructure of peatlands against the challenges of a changing climate.
This project is currently in the research phase and will not impact restoration workflows for at least two years. Success in developing drought-tolerant varieties could eventually provide conservationists with more resilient biological tools for peatland rehabilitation projects.
The takeaway
The FutureMoss project highlights a critical need to adapt foundational plant species to drier environmental conditions. Readers should watch for findings from the research team regarding the identification of drought-resilient genetic traits by the project's conclusion in 2028.
Further reading
For more on the latest research in this field, visit our Botany section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Scotsman.
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