PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
All active (Annex I Habitats Directive habitat code 7110*) and degraded (Annex I Habitats Directive habitat code 7120) raised bog habitats in the Natura 2000 network in Wales have unfavourable conservation status. Adverse hydrological regimes are the main factor, caused by past peat cutting, drainage and artificially steep surface gradients which promote water loss. Drainage has also caused extensive scrub development and the spread of problem species such as moor grass (Molinia), both of which also contribute to the unfavourable status. Lack of or poor grazing management is a further key issue.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of the LIFE Welsh Raised Bogs project was to improve the conservation status of almost 700 ha of active raised bogs, about 270 ha of degraded raised bogs and associated habitats (depressions on peat substrates, and transition mires and quaking bogs), within the seven raised bog Natura 2000 network sites located wholly in Wales, by implementing favourable management.
The project aimed to implement innovative restoration measures to raise the water table, reduce carbon emissions and improve each raised bog sites’ resilience to climate change. This was to be undertaken alongside management of non-native and invasive scrub, and mowing of dense invasive Molina grass – symptoms of dry peatlands
Raised bogs are one of Wales’s most rare and important habitats. They currently represent around 10% of this SAC habitat type in the UK and most near-natural raised bogs in southern Britain. Nationally, 94% of raised bog peatland has been lost in the UK. Restoration was, therefore, a priority for safeguarding original raised bogs habitat. This emphasis is distinct from other current LIFE raised bog projects in the UK which focus on addressing secondary raised bogs habitat on cut-over surfaces of degraded bogs habitat.
The overall project objectives were achieved through the following actions:
- Restoration of the hydrological regimes to enable the recovery of active raised bogs on the seven project sites and the development of natural hydrological gradients and habitat zones. This aimed to improve the long-term resilience of the peat bodies to climate change and reduce carbon emissions, thus protecting the peat carbon store;
- Creation of suitable conditions for active raised bog habitats by tackling the key symptoms of poor condition - scrub encroachment, the spread of Molinia and restoration of dry or degraded peat surfaces;
- Demonstration of the effectiveness of project actions in enabling the recovery of active raised bog habitats and its supporting ecosystem, and their impact on ecosystem services and socio-economic factors; and
- Unlocking of the potential of local communities and other stakeholders to become effective advocates and practitioners in the conservation and protection of Natura 2000 sites and the wider resource of active and degraded raised bog habitats in Wales. Dissemination of best practice guidance about the restoration techniques to managers across Europe.
RESULTS
The project achieved the following results:
- Raising and stabilising water levels using peat bunds, dams, and restoring critical marginal regimes through installation of water control structures – this led to favourable hydrology restored for around 730 ha of active raised bog habitats and 268.3 ha degraded bog habitats within the seven Natura 2000 sites.
- Management of bog surfaces to encourage restoration through removal of dense Molinia grass and re-introduction of Sphagnum moss. This included removal and management of invasive scrub – these actions led to the restoration of 676 ha of poor condition raised bog habitat.
- Purchase of 30 ha at Cors Fochno Natura 2000 site and restoration of 7 ha of active raised bog habitat and 14 ha of bog habitat that is recovering.
- Supporting the introduction of light grazing through improving livestock handling infrastructure and fencing alongside access infrastructure such as gates/bridge. This included 5 825 m of fencing to enable better grazing regimes for 169 ha of raised bog habitats.
- Delivery of a monitoring plan to investigate impact of project actions and assess socio-economic impacts.
- Monitoring of water levels has shown an increase in mean annual water levels between 4cm-10cm following restoration work, promoting far greater resilience to future summer droughts, and providing suitable conditions for habitat restoration. Alongside greenhouse gas (GHG) monitoring which shows the work has reduced carbon emissions from the project sites.
- Disseminating best practice guidance and lessons learnt about restoration techniques with peatland practitioners and the public.
- Raising awareness of the value of peatlands, and of the work of the project, through newsletters, events, shows, seminars, conferences (including hosting the IUCN Peatland conference in 2022) and social media.
- The project managed to engage with over 25,000 people over the 6.5 years, improving awareness and understanding of peatlands across Wales, the UK and Europe, through events, webinars, and online content. This included hosting the IUCN Peatland Conference 2022 in Aberystwyth.
