Project Page Views: [ 710 ]
| Project Metadata Element | Details |
| Project Title | RRBI - Restoring raised bogs in Ireland |
| Research Area | Water |
| Project Acronym | RRBI |
| Principal Investigator or Lead Irish Partner | Philip Murphy (IE) |
| Lead Institution or Organisation | Coillte Teoranta - The Irish Forestry Board |
| Lead Country | Ireland |
| Latitude, Longitude (of Lead Institution) | 53.09770, -6.11061 |
| Lead Funding Entity | LIFE |
| Approximate Project Start Date | 01/10/2004 |
| Approximate Project Finishing Date | 30/09/2008 |
| Project Website (if any) | http://www.raisedbogrestoration.ie/ |
| Links to other Web-based resources | |
| Project Keywords | Drainage system; Ecological assessment; Conservation; Wetlands ecosystem |
| Project Abstract | Background: The peatlands of the Irish Midlands are among the most important raised-bog systems remaining in Europe. Raised-bog habitat was once extensive in Ireland, covering an estimated 310 000 ha. However, before their ecological value was apprecitated, peatlands were considered wastelands, which should be converted to more productive uses. Their total area was reduced to a mere 18 000 ha. Most of the loss has been through the extraction of peat for household fuel, electricity production and the manufacture of horticultural products. Afforestation has also resulted in habitat loss, but on a smaller scale, with about 2% of the original peatland area planted. Coillte initiated a Nature Conservation Strategy in 1999, taking into account national and European biodiversity and nature conservation requirements. Since 1997, 11,831 ha of high raised bog has been proposed for designation in candidate SACs under the EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC). The company has also run the following three LIFE Nature projects: 02 NAT/IRL/8490 Restoring Active Blanket Bog in Ireland 04 NAT/IE/121 Restoring Raised Bogs in Ireland 05 NAT/IRL/182 Restoring Priority Woodland Habitats in Ireland. Objectives: This LIFE Nature project aimed to restore 571 ha of raised bog on 14 sites in the central plain of Ireland to a favourable conservation status. Furthermore, by extending the area of raised bog, the project sought to enlarge the area free from the effects of afforestation and thus increase the likelihood of recolonisation with Annex 1 habitat types. The project intended to target the effects of the cutting of turf from peatland for fuel and damage from trespassing livestock. It also planned to reduce hazard risks for adjoining landowners and the risks of fire damage to the project sites, notably through vegetation clearance on vulnerable high risk perimeter areas. The project hoped to have a demonstration role, particularly for forest managers, showing effective techniques for bogland restoration on afforested sites, principally tree removal and drain blocking. Dissemination of the project results both nationally and throughout the EU would also hope to increase current knowledge in the area of afforested bogland restoration. |