Revitalising peatlands for wildlife and climate
Restoring Blanket Bog Habitat with RSPB
EnviroCulture were contracted by RSPB to block and re profiling of approx. 13.2 km of drainage grips established pre-2000. By Using our LGP excavators
The Site is part of Mynydd Hiraethog SSSI and is designated in part for blanket bog habitats. The blanket bog is currently in the process of drying out due to historical drainage of the Site. The aim of the works is to re-wet the bog and increase the existing water levels of the blanket bog so that active peat accumulation can occur. In creating wet areas we will also be providing habitat for breeding curlew who’s chicks require shallow water bodies to forage.
Restoration of the site was accomplished by blocking artificial ditches with dams, blocking or slowing water in gullies using peat dams and baffles, and re-profiling ditches.
The site is located on deep peat of at least a metre and up to 8 metres in places. The land is relatively flat (no more than 3%), the aims are to raise the water table as close to the surface as possible along the drains and to slow the flow of water down the drain. Most of the site is very good botanically. There were several different scenarios on site and therefore there are a few different methods were undertaken.
In some areas ditches are rush filled. We aim to reduce rush cover. One technique to achieve this was by digging up rush in the channel and turning upside down and essentially ‘cleaning’ the channel.
Before
After
