Kirby Robinson

I am a PhD student supervised by Dr. Arnoud Boom and Prof. Sue Page. My research is based on the Central African peatland complex, one of the most carbon-dense ecosystems in the world.

I use geochemical methods such as pyrolysis-GC/MS and FTIR to characterise and understand the composition of the peat through time and how it responds to past and potential future decomposition events. Understanding how plants break down and the mechanisms by which peat is preserved over centuries is key to protecting these vital ecosystems in light of climate projections of drought in the region, as well as anthropogenic threats.