[Assess students' understanding of the physical, chemical and biological controls on carbon accumulation versus decomposition in temperate peatlands, including water-table dynamics and hydrology, temperature and climate effects, vegetation and litter quality, nutrient status and peat chemistry, microbial pathways and redox conditions, disturbance/management (drainage, peat extraction, fire), and the consequences for CO2 and CH4 fluxes and overall carbon balance; expect explanation of mechanisms, interacting drivers, and interpretation of typical field or experimental evidence.]