CANAPE - Broads

Introduction

The Creating A New Approach to Peatland Ecosystems (CANAPE) Project is an Interreg North Sea Region project led by the Broads Authority, focuses on restoring peatlands and encouraging new ways to manage them. In the Broads, this project is funding; -Restoration of lost fen margin in Hickling Broad, using peaty sediment dredged from the lake bed. -A citizen science programme to gather data on peat depth -Trials using wetland waste to make marketable products, starting with Charcoal from scrub clearances on fen.

Description

The Broads are a series of man-made excavations from the Early Middle Ages, dug out to provide peat for fuel. Over time these have flooded creating a network of lakes. Hickling Broad is the largest of these. On the Southwestern edge the reedbed has been eroded away over the last sixty years due to loss of macrophytes from eutrophication, and the prevailing wind. Hickling Broad is a SSSI and a National Nature Reserve. It is one of the largest areas of continuous reedbed in England, and home to a range of species.

Project Aims

Using sediment dredged from the lake bed, as part of maintenance of the navigation rights in the Broad, the Broads Authority is creating a replacement 1ha reedbed in the area that has previously been lost. This will also create a sheltered area in the lake to allow some macrophytes that need still water to reestablish.

Restoration Delivered

Between 2018 and 2020 the outer boundary of the reedbed has been constructed, and sediment is now being used to build up the level to the point where it is suitable for healthy reed growth.

{"zoom":12,"lat":52.7350174,"lon":1.6320496,"markers":{"0":{"lat":52.734795174,"lon":1.572770835}}}

Project Name: CANAPE - Broads

Organisation / Lead partner: Broads Authority

Location: Hickling Broad, Norfolk, UK

Approximate area covered: 1 ha

Conservation Status: Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Nature Reserve (NR), National Park (NP), RAMSAR site, Natura 2000

Predominately: Lowland

Peat Habitats: Fen

Project Type: Restoration

Year Project Began: 2018

Project End Date: 2022

    Scientist taking scientific measurements in peatland. Credit Emma Hinchliffe
    Please give 10 minutes of your time to help answer the question: Is palaeoecological research utilised in UK peatland restoration projects? Can you complete a short survey on the extent to which palaeoecological research is utilised in UK…
    Group of people stood in an open peatland landscape
    Muirburn licencing made law in ScotlandScotland’s peatlands will benefit from increased protection due to a new law passed on 21st March…
    Molinia Mulching Agglestone Mire, remover higher tussocks to increase the connectivity of the floodplain (c) Sally Wallington
    Dorset peatland restorationThe Dorset Peat Partnership completed the first of their sixteen peatland restoration sites in…
    Work begins at Duchal Moor. © Giulia Spilotros/Glasgow Green Network Clyde Valley
    Council leads the way with major peatland restoration project A three-year project to restore an area of peatland larger than 780 football pitches in Inverclyde…
    Eyes on the Bog logo
    Funding for Eyes on the Bog users Our Eyes on the Bog Fund aims to support existing Eyes on the Bog users to purchase new equipment,…
    Forest to Bog Restoration cover image and example spread
    New report showcases successes in forest to bog restoration'Forest to Bog Restoration: Demonstrating Success', the fourth publication the series, highlights…
    Sphagnum pulchrum © Brian Eversham
    Don't miss our 'Measuring biodiversity: from principles to practice' webinar!Join the IUCN UK Peatland Programme for this free webinar as we explore traditional and…
    Sphagnum lindbergii (c) Emma Hinchliffe
    Introducing our species showcasesThroughout 2024, we are celebrating peatland biodiversity through a series of monthly showcases…
    Emperor moth (C) Pete Quinn
    Come and volunteer with us!We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Communications Volunteer who can help us with our…
    Snowdon (c) Marian Pye
    Fill in the PeatQuest Survey to shape global peatland researchThe PeatQuest Research Project team are inviting you to participate in their global survey, as your…
    Peter Jones
    New Year Honours for peatland specialistNatural Resources Wales’ senior peatland specialist, Dr Peter Jones, has been awarded an MBE for…
    Saltyco Engine Farm Paludiculture trials (C) E Hinchliffe
    Paludiculture call for evidence for Peatland CodePlease fill in our survey! We are inviting evidence for all paludiculture sites and all crop types…