Acknowledge that wildfire presents a risk; some elements of this risk may be real, and some may be perceived. Regardless of the nature of the risk, this uncertainty and the threat of wildfire must be addressed when discussing the restoration or management of degraded peatland sites. Areas of overgrown vegetation, particularly Calluna vulgaris and Molinia caerulea, represent a vulnerable increased fuel load. These increased fuel loads are largely the product of a long history of land management practices, including grazing and burning. Continuation of these land management practices promotes drier vegetation types on peat soils, and if these forms of land management decrease or cease, there is a risk that vegetation cover increases.

Please describe your peatland restoration work in practical terms

Every site is different, but the goal is to re-wet and stabilize dried-out peat. We use turf, a surface layer of soil held together by the roots of grasses and plants from nearby, to cover bare patches, helping stop erosion and letting vegetation recover. Diggers reshape steep edges into gentler slopes. This helps reduce the risk of further erosion and makes the land more stable.

In addition to actively restoring the landscape, one of the biggest changes we made was adjusting our grazing levels. By reducing sheep numbers, we gave the land space to recover. The hill is now much wetter, there are more trees, and sphagnum moss is returning to the streams. Nature has a way of putting things right, even without much interference.

While overall output has gone down, the benefits are clear—there’s less water runoff, less erosion, and more biodiversity. The land is in better shape, and the farm is more resilient as a result.

How does the land’s geodiversity—its soil, peat, and uplands—affect the type of farming you practice?

You farm with what you have! There’s a layer of limestone (type of rock) running through the land, which was once dug up and used as fertilizer. The rest of the land is mostly acidic.

Rainfall has increased , what used to be a wet day with 2 inches of rain can now bring 4 inches or more. The speed of climate change is alarming, so anything we can do to help is worth it.

There’s still a lot of peatland restoration to be done on the island. Other farms and estates are starting similar projects, and local workers can benefit from this effort to restore nature.

Peatlands as Natural Firebreaks: Resilience and Fire Mitigation in Wetland Ecosystems:

Green pools and sphagnum moss: Areas with active sphagnum regrowth and water-filled pools, especially those not significantly affected by the fire, can act as natural firebreaks.
High water table: A water table near or at the peat surface limits the ability of fire to burn into the peat layer and smolder, which is a key mechanism in wildfire spread.
Reduced fire severity: When fires encounter wet peatlands, they tend to burn less intensely and are less likely to cause deep, smoldering fires that can be difficult to extinguish.
Rapid recovery: Intact and restored peatlands tend to recover from wildfires more quickly due to their increased resilience and moisture content.
Limited vegetation that burns easily: Rewetted peatlands favor the growth of sphagnum and other vegetation that doesn’t readily burn, further hindering fire spread.

Case Study:

Importance of Restoration Efforts

This outcome further demonstrates the value of restoration efforts under the National Peatland Action Programme (NPAP), funded by the Welsh Government and managed by Natural Resources Wales (NRW).

Restoration Work at Llyn Gorast

In 2023, restoration work was completed at part of the Llyn Gorast site, which involved constructing dams and contour bunds to raise water levels and reduce erosion. These actions are crucial in restoring the integrity of heavily eroded peatland sites.

Benefits of Healthy Peatlands

Healthy, rewetted peatlands, such as those at Llyn Gorast, support the growth of wet sphagnum moss, which absorbs up to 20 times its weight in water. This moisture retention helps prevent the spread of wildfires. In contrast, damaged peatlands can become colonized by Molinia grass, which is highly flammable when dry, increasing the risk of fire.

Assessing Fire Impact

Mannon Lewis, NRW’s Strategic Projects lead for NPAP, explained, “We sent one of our peatland specialists to assess the fire impact on the rewetted Llyn Gorast site, and the news was positive. The wet pools seem to have been a barrier, preventing the fire from spreading. Pictures also show how an adjacent site, in line for future restoration, was singed black, whilst the restored site was still a functioning peatland. Fleeing wildlife could also have found shelter from the heat in these pools as the fire raged nearby.”

State of Peatlands in Wales

Peatlands cover only 4% of Wales yet store 30% of our land carbon. Unfortunately, 90% of Welsh peatland is damaged at present, hence the urgent need for safeguarding and restoration. Reduction in summer rainfall, expected because of climate change, will make damaged peatlands even more prone to fire. This means rewetting peatland, such as at Llyn Gorast, is an important action to help peatland landscapes adapt to the effects of climate change.

Expanding the NPAP

Initially a five-year program, NPAP completed its targets of restoring 3,000 hectares of peatland 12 months early. The successful program will now be expanded and upscaled to help safeguard our peatlands, accelerate the rate of peatland restoration, and support Wales’ Net Zero targets. Data on peatland and its restoration, including the site at Llyn Gorast (central), can be found on the Wales Peatland Data Map.

The National Peatland Action Programme

The National Peatland Action Programme is a 5-year plan of peatland restoration in Wales.
Welsh peatlands need urgent action to address the nature and climate emergencies.
Peatlands support a variety of habitats and species; they:
• capture and store carbon
• regulate greenhouse gases
• maintain biodiversity
• regulate water
Funded by the Welsh Government, this program was set up to coordinate peatland restoration action in Wales.
Restoration work.

The National Peatland Action Programme has six priorities:

1. Peatland erosion
2. Peatland drainage
3. Sustainable management of blanket peats
4. Sustainable management of lowland peats
5. The restoration of afforested peatlands
6. The gradual restoration of our highest carbon-peatlands

Wales Peatland Data Portal

The Wales Peatland Data Portal shows where peatlands are and the areas that need restoring. The interactive maps include
• habitats that are supported by peat
• estimates of the carbon stored in Welsh peatlands
• estimates of greenhouse gas emissions
We will update the portal as peatland is restored. This will include the effects on peatland condition, biodiversity, and mitigating climate change.

Conclusion

Peatland restoration is a critical endeavor for enhancing landscape resilience, mitigating wildfire risks, and addressing climate change. The restoration efforts, such as those undertaken at Llyn Gorast.

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