How we are helping peatlands

Peatland restoration is an integral part of sustainably managing land. To date we have put almost 13,000 hectares of degraded peatlands on the road to recovery.

In the past, trees were grown in areas that are now protected by current environmental policy and practice. Our work to restore peatlands involves re-wetting to restore their hydrological behaviour. It can also include removing trees. The goal of these techniques is to help the valuable peatland habitats to recover quickly.

The water table usually rises rapidly following rewetting, leading to the return of peatland species such as cotton grass, heathers and sphagnum mosses. These species are important indicators of a return to a healthy ecosystem. The vegetation sequesters carbon and will in time restore the peatland’s ability to withstand droughts and wildfires. We are constantly looking to improve the cost-effectiveness of forest-to-bog rewetting techniques.

A before (left) and after (right) photo of peatland restoration at Ardmore on the Isle of Mull.

How are we going to do it?

We will continue to restore peatlands on open ground that have been modified in the past. For those peatlands that have plantations on them, we will restore some of them back to open peatland. Others we will replant if it is likely to result in net carbon capture and benefit biodiversity.

We aim to manage peatlands in an optimal way to maximise the benefits they can provide. We work with other organisations, contractors and people to help deliver this. Find out more about how we manage peatlands here.

We are one of the Scottish Government agencies that is part of Peatland Action - a national programme aimed at restoring peatlands, which are crucial for biodiversity and carbon storage.