Here at Peatland Restoration Scotland we understand the important role our Peatlands have to play in the global fight against climate change.
With extensive experience operating in Scotland’s challenging upland environments, we provide a highly skilled team and specialized low ground pressure machinery for peatland restoration projects.
Our work is vital for both climate action and biodiversity. By repairing degraded peatlands, we help lock away atmospheric carbon while also restoring ecosystems and encouraging a wide range of species to thrive. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your project.
Peatlands are the largest, terrestrial natural carbon sink in the world. However, over time large areas have become degraded and can now act as a carbon source.
Although peatlands cover 20% of Scotland’s land area, 80% of peatland areas are classed as ‘degraded’ and in need of restoration work. Comprehension of the carbon store in peatlands is difficult however Scotland hold 140 years of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Carbon is stored in peat beneath the living vegetation of peatlands. Peat is formed through incomplete decomposition of the vegetation in waterlogged, ‘pickling’ conditions also created by the plants. As vegetation dies each year, it accumulates, and this leads to the steady upward growth of the bog and its store of carbon in the accruing peat. The definition of a peatland is an area of peat covered terrain with a minimum depth of 30cm
Peatlands in an optimum state are home to a huge variety of wildlife, including curlews, golden plover, and hen harriers. Degradation reduces the quality of peatland habitats, so restoration is also crucial in reversing biodiversity loss.
Peatland restoration involves using a variety of techniques to revegetate bare peat and raise the water table of the blanket bog
Vegetative dams are installed by the excavator every 5-12m along drainage channels. The aim of this is to impound runoff and create an overspill of water to surrounding habitats. Surrounding vegetation is removed by the excavator and placed throughout the channel, preventing oxidization of bare peat.
Damming is undertaken to raise the bog water table, keeping the peat waterlogged which prevents erosion and keeps carbon locked within the peat. Wooden dams and piling are constructed on site by our operators. Peat dams are also constructed, where possible, including wave dams. We have found these dams effective in preventing sediment runoff and creating a natural waterlogged habitat. A spill bar, the full width of the drain, is installed at the base to prevent erosion
Hag reprofiling is undertaken to restore the hydrological balance and vegetation recovery. This is further encouraged by removing overhanging vegetation and using it to cover bare peat after it has been reprofiled to a stable angle of roughly 30 degrees. This also prevents further slumping, erosion, and vegetation loss.
Peat bunding consists of creating long low dams along contours on the bog surface, normally on bare peat. This helps reduce surface water drainage and creates pools of water, allowing for sphagnum to seed and grow. Creating pools on bare peat also helps restore a healthy hydrological balance and creates a habitat, rich in wildlife such as amphibians and dragonflies.
Scrub and trees increase water loss and degrade peatlands in other ways too, such as through shade and changes to nutrient cycling. Their clearance therefore restores natural peatland function. The return of scrub and trees is then limited by restoration of the waterlogged conditions that naturally resist their colonisation and growth.
Croft 1 Achnahanate,
Spean Bridge PH34 4EX
07413 632505
info@plrscotland.co.uk
