So what have we done so far?
The Manx Peatland Project started properly in September 2023, but we’d already spent time surveying peatland prior to that. We often get asked what is the point of surveying the depth and extent of peat, and there are many answers. Peatlands can be vast stores of carbon, so it is useful to know how much peat we have so we can value and protect it. When it comes to reporting emissions and sequestration from land, it is vital to know what the underlying soil type is. While peatlands in good condition absorb and store carbon, degraded peatlands are net emitters. If we know where our peat is, we are better informed to make land management decisions and work out priority areas for restoration. We have now surveyed a total of 6500 hectares (or approximately 12,146 football pitches!). The surveyed area holds approximately 2.5 million tonnes of carbon, equivalent to 9.5 million tonnes of CO2. We still have around 3500 hectares to survey, so these numbers will increase!
We have focused our initial restoration work on the most degraded peatland areas. Historically these were the main turbaries, which are areas where peat was cut for fuel. Most of the work has been to reprofile the eroding peat hags, left exposed from the peat cutting, so that they can revegetate. We have used diggers with low ground pressure tracks for the reprofiling, followed by the spreading of heather brash on areas of exposed bare peat. This helps to protect the peat and allow vegetation to become established. In some areas we have added coir netting on top for further protection. We have also managed the flow of water in some areas, to reduce erosion and help with natural flood management. So far we have undertaken this restoration work on 100 hectares of highly degraded peatland, with plans for a further 400 hectares over the next year.
Our peatland areas are great places to visit, but they are sensitive to damage. We have installed boardwalks in the area of Black Hut to protect sensitive peatland, and these have the added benefit of providing a dry walking route over a very wet area! If you’re visiting this area, have a look out for our peatland interpretation board and learn about the amazing benefits of peatlands.
This map shows the planned survey areas. The areas coloured in show peatland, with darker areas having deeper peat. The inset map shows an area of highly degraded peatland where we have undertaken restoration work.
