The main aim of blanket bog restoration is to rehabilitate bogs as close to their natural state as possible so that they can function correctly and provide their full suite of community benefits and ecosystem services.
Bog restoration is not straightforward, it is often a complex and a long-term process, which requires planning and monitoring. Changing bog conditions in response to restoration works will mean that strategies will evolve over time, so adaptability is important during the process. Collaboration is a key driver to ensure the success of bog restoration projects; it requires cooperation between local communities, landowners, restoration experts, conservation groups and government agencies.
There are various techniques used for bog restoration and the methodology varies depending on the condition of the bog and the main conservation objectives e.g. specific ecological targets. Restoration activities generally focus on managing water tables, reducing the erosion process and promoting colonisation of peat forming plant species. Techniques to achieve these objectives include drain/gully blocking, reprofiling of old excavation areas and revegetation of bare peat and degraded areas on bogs. Other important bog restoration activities include invasive species removal, forest to bog projects and bog vegetation management. All of these activities need to be underpinned by close monitoring of conditions, scientific research, support from policy, collaboration with landowners and creating strong links with communities through education and outreach work.
Bog restoration aims to stabilise peat, encourage natural revegetation and promote natural conditions to allow for peat accumulation again. Bog restoration activities under various headings are discussed below. Also check out the different case studies detailed on the Community Resources page.
Water Table Management
Artificial drainage on bogs is a common problem. Restoration measures to address the negative impacts of these drains involves either blocking or removal, which will raise the water table and promote natural conditions on the bog. Various materials are used for blocking drains e.g. plastic, wood, stone, coir/wool logs, or heather bales; although peat is most commonly used where available. Dam spacing along drainage channels is also an important consideration for the restoration approach and is particularly relevant when dealing with gradients/slopes.
Peat erosion from historical pressures (e.g. overgrazing, burning) has led to the formation of gullies on the bog. Natural weathering processes can lead to further erosion of these gullies, which results in the loss of carbon, reduced water quality and the lowering of the water table. Gullies can be dammed to reduce erosion rates, which helps trap sediment, slows water flow and encourages revegetation of bare peat. Dams for dealing with gully erosion are usually comprised of impermeable materials, however most sites can benefit from a combination of different types of dams that are selected in response to gully depth, peat depth and/or gradient.
Another action that relates to water table management is reprofiling of exposed peat, for instance old turf banks or peat hags. The steep zone in these structures results in a dramatic drop in the water table, carbon is also readily lost, exposed peat is more vulnerable to erosion and is not readily revegetated. By reducing the gradient of old turf banks and hags i.e. creating gentler slopes, it can bring the area of once exposed peat back in contact with the water table that will help promote revegetation and the start of the peat accumulation process again.
Revegetation & Sphagnum Moss Restoration
Exposed peat, also referred to as bare peat, is susceptible to erosion. Having such areas on a bog can lead to the development of gully systems, which increases erosion rates and the further degradation of the bog. Covering exposed peat aims to promote vegetation growth and reduce the erosion process. A number of different materials can be used to cover exposed peat and promote revegetation including heather brash, geotextile and wool fleece. Excluding livestock from an area that is going through the revegetation process is also important so as to avoid grazing pressure.
The stabilisation of bare peat by bog plants such as heather and grasses will halt the erosion process. However, sphagnum mosses are necessary for bogs to actively start accumulating peat again. The natural recovery of sphagnum on areas of bare peat can be a slow process. To accelerate the recovery of these species, sphagnum can be added to bare peat either using locally available ‘clumps’ of sphagnum or ‘plugs’ of cultivated sphagnum that is planted in the bare peat by hand.
Increasing natural vegetation on bogs is supported through raising the water table and management of invasive non-native species, which reduces competition and allows native plants to thrive.
Restoration activities
This section gives an overview of such measures including erosion control, reprofiling, invasive species control, forest to bog projects, vegetation management, monitoring, education and outreach, policy, and working with landowners.
Erosion Control
Erosion control measures involve stabilising the peat surface on the bog through installing erosion-control fabrics and slowing water flow, which will eventually lead to revegetation. Reducing other pressures on the bog such as livestock access and recreational use also help minimise further erosion and promote the recovery of the site.
Reprofiling
As discussed in the Water Table Management, reprofiling to remove old turf banks can help reverse the negative effects of historic peat extraction. Even if turf banks haven’t been in use for many years, their presence can negatively impact the water table and they can continue to contribute to peat erosion.
Invasive Non-Native Species Control
Invasive non-native species are one of the biggest threats to biodiversity and nature conservation. It is therefore important to identify and remove invasive non-native plant species that threaten the bog. Rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum) is one such non-native species that has successfully established itself on bogs. Mature Rhododendron plants grow in dense thickets, replacing the native shrub layer and eventually suppress the ground vegetation. Rhododendron can also impact the natural functioning of the bog such as hydrology, altering water flow, which can potentially cause localised flooding. Removing and controlling Rhododendron on bogs is both costly and labour intensive. A strategic approach is needed to manage the problem effectively and this involves mapping extent, assessing severity, and prioritising areas for removal. There are various methods used to control Rhododendron, and the approach is often site dependent. Also a key process in long term control is to implement regular monitoring post-control and management of germinating plants to prevent re-infestation.
Forest to Bog Projects
The conversion of forestry plantations back to open blanket bog is an important restoration measure for many areas of blanket bog. To date, much of this work has been undertaken on Coillte and State owned lands. Restoration works involve the felling and removal of non-native conifer species, blocking of drains to restore the natural water table levels, and felling of the naturally regenerating conifers in the open areas within the plantation.
Vegetation Management
Browsing, trampling and grazing by native wild animals is part of a natural bog ecosystem, but the unsustainable levels of grazing livestock practised in the past have had serious negative impacts on bogs. Management of vegetation on bogs is important for maintaining open habitats, which can be achieved through sustainable grazing or mowing regimes. This approach requires expertise and careful consideration so as to avoid damaging the bog. Management objectives need to be set out and if grazers are being used the animal type, timings of grazing and stocking densities need to be clearly set out.
Monitoring
So as to measure effectiveness of restoration works, it is necessary to continue regular monitoring of bog conditions after the works have been completed. Hydrological, vegetation and peat depth assessments help determine whether restoration measures have had the desired effect. A certain level of adaptive management may be required to ensure success. For instance, with invasive species management ongoing control is usually required to ensure the species does not re-establish. Ongoing management, monitoring, and adaptation is necessary to ensure the successful recovery of degraded sites. The information gathered by this approach should be shared to help better understand bogs and can aid future restoration strategies.
Education and Outreach
It is important to provide opportunities for communities and all stakeholders to learn about blanket bogs, their ecological significance and the need for their protection and restoration. Gaining public support for a new approach to blanket bog management is fundamental for the long term success of restoration activities. Education and outreach can help build partnerships with local communities, some of who may want to get directly involved in restoration works or other conservation measures such as citizen science i.e. research and monitoring activities. Creating an awareness of how bogs can mitigate climate breakdown and support biodiversity can help develop behavioural change and promote more environmentally friendly practices and sustainable use of sites e.g. recreation, land use and management practises. Having public support for restoration works can help drive policy change, where communities can influence decisions at local, regional and national level that favour investment and regulations that benefit conservation and restoration. A well-informed and engaged community can contribute to the long-term success of any nature conservation work including restoration. Communities can become the custodians of sites, getting involved in activities such as monitoring and reporting problems, participating in habitat maintenance, and advocating for continued conservation efforts.
Policy
Preventing further blanket bog degradation and habitat loss requires advocating for and enforcing of nature conservation laws and regulations. This requires collaboration with policymakers, government organisations, local authorities, landowners and communities to ensure support for restoration initiatives e.g. legislative and investments.
Working with landowners
Many blanket bogs are in private ownership so working with landowners in the development of restoration plans on their properties is crucial. Collaboration with farmers and landowners also allows for knowledge exchange, which can help guide best practise and advise on effective and practical restoration techniques. This change in approach to managing lands for conservation is a major shift away from traditional agricultural, so it will be necessary to provide incentives or financial support to landowners for participating in restoration efforts. By involving landowners directly in restoration it can help foster a sense of ownership of the work, and these landowners can become invested in the success of project, which in turn supports projects in the long-term.