Carmel (New LIFE for Welsh Raised Bogs)

Introduction

The LIFE Welsh Raised Bogs project is the first national restoration programme for raised bogs and for any peatland habitat in Wales. The 4-year pioneering and ambitious project aims to restore seven of the very best examples of raised bogs in Wales. Almost 4 square miles (over 900 hectares) will be restored to a better condition. This represents 50% of this habitat in Wales and 5% in the UK. The sites have suffered due to poor wetland management in the past and this has caused invasive plants to take over, and crowd out important plants like sphagnum mosses. Plants like sphagnum mosses help to keep the peat boggy and wet and store carbon, helping us fight climate change. This project will look at new innovative ways of working to really make a difference and restore the seven raised bog SACs in Wales. Raised bogs provide multiple benefits to the environment, wildlife, and people. They are home to rare plants and wildlife, they store carbon from the atmosphere, can store and purify water and they also provide a fascinating insight into our environmental history. They are also great places for people to visit and enjoy nature at its best. Funding totalling £4million for the project has been given to NRW from an EU LIFE programme grant, with support from Welsh Government and Snowdonia National Park Authority.

Project Aims

In partnership with local communities, landowners and contractors, our work will include improving the conditions of the peatland, removing invasive species and scrub and introducing light grazing. A type of grass called Molinia or purple moor grass has taken over on some parts of the bog which have become drier as a result. This forms a dense layer and stops important plants from growing and thriving. We will be mowing and rolling the grass with a large wetland harvester machine. This will create more open areas where important bog plants like sphagnum can grow and thrive.

Restoration Delivered

In autumn 2019 the molinia grass on Carmel was cut with the wetland harvester machine (see images) The darker sections being the mown areas.
{"zoom":12,"lat":51.8290624,"lon":-4.0688772,"markers":{"0":{"lat":51.828001457,"lon":-4.033899525}}}

Project Name: Carmel (New LIFE for Welsh Raised Bogs)

Organisation / Lead partner: Natural Resources Wales

Location: Carmel, Carmarthenshire

Approximate area covered: 50 ha

Conservation Status: Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Area of Conservation (SAC), National Nature Reserves(NNR), Natura 2000

Predominately: Lowland

Peat Habitats: Lowland raised bog

Project Type: Restoration, Management, Research, Communications, Citizen science/ community engagement.

Year Project Began: 2017

Project End Date: 2023

    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…