Explore New LIFE for Welsh Raised Bogs sites on the Projects Map
Which of the many peatland benefits is your project focused on enhancing or conserving?
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Project Objectives |
How? |
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Restoration of hydrological regimes to enable the recovery of active raised bog (H7110*) and improve the long-term resilience of the peat bodies to climate change. |
The project will create 64km of low-level banks of peat (also known as bunds). These will mimic the natural gradients of the raised bog domes to improve natural water levels. Reprofiling work will make past steep gradients cut into the raised bogs shallower to mimic natural bog surface patterns. |
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Removing invasive vegetation to create suitable conditions for active raised bog (H7110*) by tackling tree, scrub and invasive grasses encroaching and drying out the peat surfaces. |
Cutting and removing some trees and rhododendron growing on and near the bog, as well as cutting purple moor-grass (Molinia) will provide more space and light to encourage more bog mosses to grow and help keep the bog wet and spongy, helping in the fight against climate change. |
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Re- introducing suitable grazing. Lack of, or poor grazing management in the past has allowed invasive species to take over and suffocate important raised bog plants. |
Introduction of Highland cattle and other livestock to graze the sites. |
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Communicate the importance of raised bogs to the wider public. Continuing perception of bogs as dangerous places means many local people remain unaware of the presence of raised bogs and their importance in environmental and economic terms. |
Create communication material that will highlight how great bogs are for the environment, wildlife and people. Priority messaging will say that raised bogs: • give a home to rare plants and wildlife • store carbon from the atmosphere • store and purify water • give a fascinating insight into our environmental history • are great places to visit and enjoy nature at its best. |
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Unlock the potential of local communities and other stakeholders Strengthen local communities’ sense of ownership of the sites and ensure they are aware of the special qualities of raised bogs habitats. |
To create opportunities for local communities to engage with the project.
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Which of the UK Peatland Strategy goals is your project helping to deliver?
Conservation, restoration, sustainable management and communication
What would you like to highlight as the projects top three achievements to date?
- Constructed over 19km of low-level contour bunding on Cors Fochno and Cors Caron
- Reprofiled 4km of existing bunds on Cors Caron
- Up to 40 hectares of molinia (purple moor grass) has been cut
Have there been any lessons learnt along the way that you would like to share?
Delays in procurement due to Framework contract set up
Are there any resources you have found useful or produced that you think might help other peatland projects?
- Temporary signage created for visitors and public to the sites. These have also been used on social media to explain the work.
- Leaflet has been created to explain the work of the project and why raised bogs are important.
Explore New LIFE for Welsh Raised Bogs sites on the Projects Map
