SSSI Restoration

Treeclear UK provides comprehensive SSSI restoration across the UK at some of the most cherished natural areas. SSSI stands for ''Sites of Special Scientific Interest'' which are essentially designated for their unique ecological, biological, and geological value. 

Due to human activity, many of these sites have suffered and require immediate restoration. 

Changes in the climate and habitat degradation have also played a considerable part in the damage on these types of sites.

Fortunately, TreeClear UK specialise in providing SSSI restoration providing specific services in line with the type of damage that needs repairing or restoring on any particular site. 

Restoration techniques and methods aim to preserve biodiversity, address environmental degradation, and ensure the sustainability of these critical sites for future generations.

In this latest blog, we cover four key restoration methods including:

• Mulching on peatland
• Deep trench bunding
• River creation
• Dam construction

SSSI’s cover a wide and diverse range of landscapes such as upland moors, lowland raised peat bogs, woodlands and wetlands.

Let's get into the key SSSI restoration techniques...

Mulching on Peatland

Peatlands are one of the UK’s most important carbon sinks, storing vast amounts of carbon while supporting a unique array of plant and animal life. However, damaged peatlands are unable to store carbon releasing it into the atmosphere. 

Using low ground pressure machinery with special attachments, mulching is the process of reducing unwanted trees and vegetation in situ. A mulcher, mulches trees and woody material into a small particle size which stays on site leaving the site clear of trees and ready for further rewetting works to take place. 

Our excavators and tracked mulchers are specifically designed for working in soft and boggy conditions, the tracks are much wider than standard machines, offering much lower ground pressure for working on peat-based sites. Combined with specially designed disc mulching heads makes our mulching ability faster and more efficient than traditional drum style mulching heads.

Benefits of Mulching:

• Opens up the site: Assisting with performing other rewetting activities.
• Removes trees and vegetation that unbalances the hydrology of the site.
• Enhances water retention: Supports rewetting efforts essential for peatland recovery.
• Encourages biodiversity: Provides a foundation for native vegetation to regenerate.

Deep Trench Bunding

Another key technique and method involved in SSSI restoration is deep trench bunding. This is essentially creating deep barriers in the sub surface peat to prevent water from draining off the site. With a raised bund at the surface to form a barrier above ground to assist with raising the water level across a site. The depth of the water held within the surface bunds can be regulated by installing water control devices such as pipes within the bund walls, or dams to control water depth. 

Benefits of Deep Trench Bunding:

• Restores hydrology: Helps maintain the water levels needed for wetland and peatland ecosystems.
• Prevents erosion: Stabilises peat and reduces runoff.
• Improves habitat quality: Supports species reliant on wet environments, such as amphibians and aquatic plants.

River Creation

Treeclear UK also provides river creation and restoration, re-routing watercourses, restoring natural flows and replicating natural hydrological processes. By reintroducing natural flows, river creation and restoration helps rejuvenate entire ecosystems, helping both hydrology and environmental habitats. 

Benefits of River Creation:

• Boosts biodiversity: Creates diverse habitats for fish, birds, and plants.
• Improves water flow: Enhances filtration and reduces sedimentation.
• Controls water flow: Regulates the flow of water on and off a site.

Dam Construction

In some cases, dam construction is essential for restoring the natural water dynamics of an SSSI. Dams can be built using natural materials like peat or wood to block drainage ditches or streams, rewetting areas and creating wetland habitats. Key applications of dam construction often include: peatland rewetting, wetland creation, and erosion control.

Benefits of Dam Construction:

• Flood control: Dams reduce the risk of downstream flooding, protecting habitats.
• Wetland creation: Dams create or expand wetland areas, which are vital habitats for diverse species.
• Water table stabilisation: Dams help raise and maintain high water tables, crucial for wetland and peatland ecosystems.

Why SSSI Restoration Matters

SSSI restoration involves mulching, deep trench bunding, water flow control, river creation and dam construction. However, there are a number of other techniques and methods that are also commonly used in restoration projects. 

Restoration for Sites of Special Scientific Interest is essential not only for repairing damage but for securing the future. These types of sites are the breath of our planet, helping habitats to thrive, rare species to stay alive, and ensuring that ecosystems can adapt for ever-changing climate conditions.

We continue to face environmental challenges year-on-year, but restoration work is an essential element of protecting our precious peatlands. As skilled and experienced contractors, Treeclear UK can help to protect and restore our most valuable natural sites for generations to come. 

Here’s a summary on why SSSI and peatland restoration matters:

• Carbon capture
• Flood risk reduction
• Legacy for future generations
• Economic benefits
• Water quality improvement
• Climate change mitigation
• And much more!