Peatland areas and bogs are crucial for carbon storage, water regulation, and biodiversity and store over 30% of the world’s soil carbon, playing a key role in regulating the Earth's carbon balance.
However, over the last few centuries, peatlands have been significantly damaged and degraded. Through highly effective and proven peatland restoration services, such as low ground pressure mulching and re-wetting services, we can start to restore peatlands and therefore revive the environmental benefits that we require for the generations to come.
Let's get into our turnkey solution and look at each stage of the peatland restoration process:
Tree Removal
One of the first steps of the peatland restoration process is often tree removal. In many cases, this is the first step to clear trees and shrubs that have encroached upon peat bogs. Trees and shrubs are known for draining the peat which adversely impact the natural hydrology and surrounding ecosystem.
Removing invasive tree species restores the wetland’s ability to retain water, reviving vital habitats for biodiversity and carbon storage.
Our Solution: TreeClear UK uses sustainable methods, using low ground pressure equipment to minimise soil disturbance. This ensures minimal impact on the delicate ecosystem while removing unwanted vegetation as the first step.
Low Ground Pressure Mulching
Low ground pressure mulching is one of the key techniques for restoring peatlands in the most environmentally-friendly way. LGP is essential in today's climate and much preferred method of mulching when compared to traditional machinery which can cause significant damage to the soil, leading to further degradation of the peat.
Low ground pressure mulching, a preferred technique due to its minimal environmental impact, allows vegetation removal and mulching without damaging the underlying ecosystem.
Our Solution: We use low ground pressure mulching designed to reduce pressure on the land, and also allows us to carefully process vegetation and protect the soi simultaneously.
Revegetation
Once invasive species of trees, shrubs and plants have been well managed, we also provide revegetation. This is the process of recreating healthy peatland areas which involves working with native plant species in order to restore the ecosystem and promote a healthy, biodiverse environment. Revegetation is crucial for peatland restoration, aiding in long-term ecosystem recovery.
Our Solution: Our revegetation process encourages long-term ecological recovery, providing a foundation for a thriving, sustainable peatland habitat.
Rewetting
Rewetting is crucial for the success of peatland restoration. We focus on carefully re-establishing the natural water table, which is essential for creating the right conditions for peat formation and preventing further degradation. By controlling water flow, we restore the hydrological processes that sustain healthy peatlands, ensuring long-term recovery.
Our Solution: A wide range of techniques can be used for effective re-wetting including ditch blocking, peat dams, and the installation of water management systems to ensure that the water table remains at the optimal level for peatland regeneration.
Water Flow Control
Effective water flow control is a critical aspect of peatland restoration. Using proven techniques can help in the overall restoration of your peatland area whilst also preventing excess water drainage, which is vital for maintaining peat formation, biodiversity, and carbon storage. Water flow control is often required to be monitored on an ongoing basis, and TreeClear UK provides that.
Our Solution: Our highly experienced team uses techniques like ditch blocking and other water management systems to ensure that the restored wetland retains its natural water levels.
