Peatland Restoration

Trees and woody vegetation such as pine, silver birch and rhododendron start growing on the more exposed drier areas of peat. Trees regenerate rapidly and once they get a stronghold, they remove moisture, degrading the peatland surface. Once the surface of the peat ‘dries out’ the peat is exposed and can no longer lock in carbon releasing it into the atmosphere. 

Removal of trees from a peatland site will help with the overall health of the site. Once removed the trees will no longer be able to suck the moisture out of the peat via its root system. With trees and vegetation removed peat restoration works such as ditch blocking and trench bunding can be done with much better results. Once these tasks have been performed the water level on the site will be raised naturally and the peat will become effective at storing carbon again.

A restored and healthy peat bog can support the plants and wildlife that rely on these ecosystems and peat can store large amounts of carbon. Peatland restoration is vital for the recovery of these fragile habitats and of great importance for the storage of carbon and the climate.

As well as providing peatland restoration in Scotland and across the entirety of the UK, we also provide a number of other environmental land clearance services including tree shearing, ground preparation, rhododendron clearance, and low ground pressure mulching.

The goals of peatland restoration typically aim to restore the ecological integrity, functionality, and resilience of degraded peatland ecosystems. Peatlands, including bogs, fens, and mires, are unique and valuable ecosystems that provide numerous ecological, hydrological benefits. However, peatlands are often subject to degradation and loss due to human activities such as drainage, peat extraction, agriculture, and forestry.

Peatland restoration benefits biodiversity in several ways by creating and enhancing habitat conditions that support a diverse range of plant and animal species adapted to peatland ecosystems. Peatland restoration promotes biodiversity by encouraging habitat restoration, and much more.