Y Migneint - an introduction to moorlands The name comes from Migwyn = Welsh for sphagnum mosses + nant = stream = stream from mosses. Images included with kind permission from Snowdonia National Park. Click anywhere on the screen to move on. Click the text button to view text.

The Migneint is part of the largest area of blanket bog in Wales, the Migneint Arenig, Dduallt area. It’s total area is 19966.2 Ha (199.66km2)

It’s a large area of wet land with two main lakes, Llyn Conwy, the source of the River Conwy and Llyn Serw.

The area is constantly wet and the plants that grow here have adapted to their environment. Types of sphagnum mosses, heather, cotton grasses and bilberries can be found here alongside nesting birds such as the golden plover and water voles in the numerous streams.

Sphagnum absorbs water and stores it throughout the year This is a very wet area. Mosses continue to grow up through the water. As the lowest leaves of the plant remain in water, in anaerobig conditions they don’t decompose. They become a carbon store and the plants absorb 15gm of carbon per 1m2 per year.

In the past, ditches were opened across the land to try and improve its value as agricultural land. You can see the ditches running in close parallel lines here. If you look closely you’ll see three orange machines casting shadows on the land.

These are ditch blocking machines. As we now realise the importance of moorlands as waters and carbon stores 270km of ditches were closed between January 2011 and February 2012.

By blocking ditches the management of the flow of water in the catchment has improved. Less dissolved carbon flows from the land into the streams so it’s colour and quality have improved. Moorland habitats are healthier and plants, animals and birds can thrive again. Farmers are seen as partners in these schemes as it directly impacts their livelihood.

ACTIVITY Read the statements on the next slide and decide whether you think they are true or false. (You could record your answers on the worksheet ) Then click to watch the video by the RSPB and its partners about restoring moorlands. Revisit your answers to check whether you were right or wrong and correct your answers if required.

STATEMENT Blanket bogs contain peat and water. It’s a wet soil made of decomposed vegetation, mainly Sphagnum mosses. Moorland are pristine and unchanged environments. Healthy bogs store carbon at a rate of 15gm per 1m2 per year. 3-5% of Wales is peat bog, yet it stores 30% of our carbon. Opening ditches on moorlands has a positive impact on water quality and agriculture in the area. Click here to view video clip. You will need to scroll down the web page to access the clip. 20% of our drinking water comes from upland areas. Blocking ditches on peatbogs can reduce the impact of flooding downstream, as it slows down the flow of water.

Check your answers TRUE OR FALSE Blanket bogs contain peat and water. It’s a wet soil made of decomposed vegetation, mainly Sphagnum mosses. Moorland are pristine and unchanged environments. Healthy bogs store carbon at a rate of 15gm per 1m2 per year. 3-5% of Wales is peat bog, yet it stores 30% of our carbon. Opening ditches on moorlands has a positive impact on water quality and agriculture in the area. 20% of our drinking water comes from upland areas. Blocking ditches on peatbogs can reduce the impact of flooding downstream, as it slows down the flow of water. Click anywhere on the screen to reveal statement. Click on statement to reveal whether true or false.