In Dumfries and Galloway, Crichton Carbon Centre is leading the way in research and restoration of the region’s peatlands. Working with the nationwide Peatland ACTION team, the Carbon Centre has supported restoration and research projects across the region. Peatland Restoration Projects
Peatlands are a vital part of our landscape and the heritage of Scotland. Healthy peatlands contribute to improved water quality, biodiversity, flood management and fisheries, as well as being an incredibly important store of carbon.
The benefits of healthy peatlands are becoming more widely understood as environmental groups come together with rural industries and land managers to understand and manage this important landscape.
Degraded peatlands have typically been drained and are characterised by vast drainage networks and areas of exposed bare peat. In this state, the peat is washed into water courses, which affects water quality for wildlife and our own drinking water. Peatlands also store carbon and when damaged the carbon is released, but by restoring that damage we are contributing to Scottish’s ambitious climate change targets.
On behalf of Peatland ACTION, the Crichton Carbon Centre provides free peatland condition surveys and advice on restoration, as well as supporting funding applications and delivery of restoration projects.
Dr Emily Taylor, project manager at the Carbon Centre told us “since Peatland ACTION first started in 2012 nearly 15,000ha of peatland across Scotland are now on the road to recovery. We are learning more and more every year about which techniques and approaches work best in different situations and how peatland restoration can really have many positive benefits”.
For further information and advice in Dumfries and Galloway, please contact the Crichton Carbon Centre on 01387760612 or email Peatland Restoration Officer, Matthew Cook at [email protected].
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