Methods for determining peat humification and for quantifying peat bulk density, organic matter and carbon content for palaeostudies of climate and peatland carbon dynamics.

Quantitative palaeostudies of climate change and carbon dynamics are reliant on precise and accurate laboratory measurements. Here we present laboratory protocols for the colorimetric determination of peat humification and for bulk density and organic matter content, including an overview of methodological considerations for the quantification of the carbon content of peat.