Peat Restoration in the Peak District & South Pennine Moors
Photo © Moors for the Future
The Peak District and South Pennine moors have been described as the most degraded upland habitat in Europe, but they can be restored.
This is the opportunity to invest in the restoration of one of the UK's most precious ecosystems, peatland bogs.
The Wonders of the Bog
Peatlands are among the most magical habitats in the UK. Formed over thousands of years from partially decayed plants in waterlogged conditions, a peatland bog's deep layers of peat provide a remarkable range of benefits. Covering around 12% of the UK's land area, peatlands store an estimated 3.2 billion tonnes of carbon - that's more than all the UK's forests combined. They provide precious habitat for wildlife like curlews, golden plovers and, of course, sphagnum moss. These mosses act like giant natural sponges, absorbing and slowing the flow of water from the hills, reducing flood risk while filtering water and improving its quality downstream.
Carbon Sink to Carbon Source
There is sadly a well documented dark side however: when peatlands become damaged and dry out, they switch from being a carbon sink to a carbon source, releasing the embedded carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere. According to the IUCN, 80% of the UK's peatlands are now damaged and emit an estimated 29.8 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent every year. This accounts for around 5% of the nation's annual greenhouse gas emissions. A peatland becomes damaged when the surface vegetation is lost through badly planned drainage, wildfire, industrial pollution or being trampled. Exposed peat is then easily eroded by wind, rain and frost making it's decline inevitable.
All photos © Moors for the Future
Restoring the Landscape
But there is a wonderful solution! For more than 20 years, our partners at Moors for the Future have been restoring damaged peatlands across the Peak District and South Pennines. Their work includes stabilising bare peat with the spread of heather brash, re-planting vegetation using lime & fertiliser, and raising water levels by blocking old drainage channels. We want to help fund this brilliant work by supporting the planting of the remarkable sphagnum moss that forms the foundation of healthy peatlands.
Planting season runs from early autumn to early spring each year (outside the ground-nesting bird season) and opportunities for CAPeople Members to help with the planting should become available. Keep an eye on My Dashboard & the CAP Conch for details.
Film with thanks to © Moors for the Future