Returning Peatlands
To Their Natural State
Peatland Restoration
Peatland Restoration is a collection of techniques and methods used to intervene in degraded peatlands to halt erosion. Returning the landscape to a near natural state.
The Importance Of Healthy Peatlands
Peatlands’ naturally wet environment allows for the slow decomposition of plants, such as the various sphagnum mosses that grow within them.
Over tens, hundreds and even thousands of years, layers of partially decomposed plant matter form peatlands. It is estimated that these peatlands grow between 1-2mm per year. As a result peatlands lock away millions of tonnes of carbon globally.
Learn more about peatland carbon.
The Issue Of Damaged Peatlands
Globally rare, peatlands comprise 3% of the earth’s land mass. Meanwhile 23% of Scotland’s land mass is classified as peatland.
Unfortunately, 80% of Scotland’s peatlands are now in a degraded state. Degraded peatland releases carbon emissions contributing to the climate crisis rather than combatting it.
In addition to climate impacts, degraded peatland can also contribute to:
– Biodiversity loss through habitat and food chain collapse.
– Loss of water quality due to release of particulate and dissolved carbon.
– Loss of flood resilience owing to a decrease in the ability to retain water within the peatlands.
Restoration Techniques
Principals of Peatland Restoration
The core objectives and principals of restoration are
simple in theory, though require meticulous planning to
be realised:
• Raise and maintain the water table to the surface.
• Revegetate and cover otherwise bare areas of peat.
• Minimise the modification of the environment as
much as is possible.
Restoration addresses features of degradation that are
both natural and caused by human impact.
Using excavators on wide tracks, operators are able to re-profile bare peat banks and place dams in gullies.
Support To Restore Peatlands
Peatland Valuation
Establishing peatlands’ potential carbon offset capacities and therefore their value to businesses.
Natural Capital Valuation
Understanding peatlands’ current and potential carbon store capacity and its value to landowners.
Carbon Audit
A breakdown of degraded peatlands’ carbon emissions and the potential savings.