What is peatland restoration?
Peatland Restoration is a term used to describe management measures that aim to restore the original form and function of peatland habitats to favourable conservation status. For example grazing and burning may play a positive role in the long term management of peatlands that are conserved for nature.
How long does it take to restore peatland?
These results mirror research in Canada that found it takes one to two decades for peatlands to recover following restoration efforts3.
How much is peatland in Scotland?
More than 20% of Scotland is covered by peat – and keeping our peatlands healthy is vital to tackling climate change.
What is the peatland code?
The Peatland Code is a voluntary certification standard for UK peatland projects wishing to market the climate benefits of peatland restoration and provides assurances to voluntary carbon market buyers that the climate benefits being sold are real, quantifiable, additional and permanent.
Is peatland a wetland?
Peatlands are a type of wetland which occur in almost every country and are known to cover at least 3% of global land surface. The term ‘peatland’ refers to the peat soil and the wetland habitats growing on the surface.
Are peatlands protected?
95% of peatlands are protected under relevant local, national and/ or international protected area designation types (or related designations post-Brexit)
What is the value of peatland?
Healthy, wet-state peatlands are not only critical habitats for a wide range biodiversity, including endemic species, but they provide vital ecosystem services. They regulate water flow which minimises floods and droughts. They supply food, fibre and other products that support local communities.
What animals can you find in a peatland?
Black bears, wolves and bobcats can also be observed visiting peatlands in search of food. Smaller mammals are more common and diverse than larger ones. Lemmings, voles, mice, snowshoe hares, minks, shrews, muskrats and red squirrels find food and shelter in peatlands.
How do peatlands store carbon?
In peatlands, year-round water-logged conditions slow plant decomposition to such an extent that dead plants accumulate to form peat. This stores the carbon the plants absorbed from the atmosphere within peat soils, providing a net-cooling effect and helping to mitigate the climate crisis.
What is a peatland restoration?
Peatland Restoration is a term used to describe management measures that aim to restore the original form and function of peatland habitats to favourable conservation status. The principal activity involved in restoration is management of site hydrology which in turn helps to control emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide.
What is the peatland action project?
The Peatland ACTION project helps to restore damaged peatlands in Scotland. It provides funding mainly for on the ground restoration. Find out more on the Peatland ACTION webpages. A Peatland ACTION restoration proposal is supported by a large amount of spatial data.
What is Snowdonia National Park Authority doing to restore the peatlands?
Over the last four years, Snowdonia National Park Authority has been involved with several projects focussed on restoring some of the fantastic peatlands of Snowdonia. Active peatlands offer a host of benefits to society (often referred to as ecosystem services), including:
How do I rewet peatland sites?
Depending on the starting point, peatland sites may need drain blocking to rewet them using a variety of techniques including peat dams, plastic piling and bunding, plantation removal, pollution control, Sphagnum transfer and/or control of grazing, burning, water quantity and quality.