1. Restoration of Afforested Peatlands across Europe russell.anderson@forestry.gsi.gov.uk EU LIFE – Rebuilding Ireland’s Natural Capital 29 Sep 2015

2. Outline Case studies from forthcoming CUP book ‘Peatland Restoration and Ecosystem Services’ 1.Ireland - Restoring raised bog in Ireland LIFE project 2.Finland – Boreal spruce mire restoration 3.Finland – Poor fen - Green belt LIFE Project 4.UK – Blanket bog restoration - Border Mires Other examples from across Europe Update on UK activity 15/01/2016 2

3. Case study 1 – Ireland raised bogs Lowland raised bogs unique Irish hyper-oceanic variant naturally very few trees Most lost or damaged 80% lost to commercial peat extraction. remainder damaged - edges cut away some also afforested 14 sites restored under Coillte 2004-08 LIFE project by removing trees damming drains protecting perimeter against fire 15/01/2016 3

4. Case study 1 – Ireland raised bogs 15/01/2016 4

5. Case study 2 - Finland spruce mires Boreal spruce mires natural sparse tree cover Norway spruce, birch, alder, willows Biodiversity hotspots host both forest and mire species Mostly drained for forestry Suokonkorpi drained in 1930s. Restored 1995 by damming drains with peat tree stand left intact 15/01/2016 5 © Kaisu Aapala

6. Case study 2 - Finland spruce mires 15/01/2016 6 Bog mosses (Sphagnum spp.) Carex globularis

7. Case study 3 – Finland pine fens European Green Belt links valued habitats on former Iron Curtain 2004-08 Green Belt LIFE project natural forest/mire landscape valued safeguard favourable conservation status of 13 Natura 2000 sites mire restoration speeds up natural recovery Eastern Finland pine fens drained for forestry in 1970s -80s Pine fens restored 2007 by filling in drains removing 2/3 of tree stand volume 15/01/2016 7 Drained pine bog Photo: Kaisu Aapala

8. Case study 3 – Finland pine fens 15/01/2016 8 Iso-Palonen 2009 Photo: Anne Tolvanen Elimyssalo 2012 Photo: Anne Tolvanen Monitoring vegetation Monitoring decomposition and peat chemistry

9. Case study 3 – Finland pine fens 15/01/2016 9 Before restoration Dry but forestry failed 5 years after restoration Drains now pool habitats Vegetation recovering Teeri-Lososuo 2006 Photo: Anne Tolvanen Teeri-Lososuo 2012 Photo: Anne Tolvanen

10. Case study 3 – Finland pine fens 15/01/2016 10 Iso-Palonen 2006 Photo: Anne Tolvanen Iso-Palonen 2012 Photo: Anne Tolvanen Iso-Palonen 2006 Photo: Anne Tolvanen Before5 years after

11. Case study 4 - England blanket bog Blanket bog naturally few trees 55 ‘Border Mires’ in Kielder Forest valued as habitats (many protected) and for carbon storage Most partially afforested 1940s-70s Restoring afforested areas since 1986 Trees harvested or chipped Drains dammed (plastic piling or peat) 15/01/2016 11 IMCG visit Photo: Neville Geddes

12. Case study 4 - England blanket bog 15/01/2016 12 Grain Heads Moss 2007 Photo: Jane Grimes Pundershaw Moss 2007 Photo: Jane Grimes Grain Heads Moss 2007 Photo: Jane Grimes

13. Case study 4 - England blanket bog 15/01/2016 13 Excellent booklet. Free download: www.forestry.gov.uk

14. Other activity across Europe 15/01/2016 14 LIFE Conservation of Baltic raised bogs in Pomerania, Poland LIFE Restoration of natural habitats in the Lomme river valley, Walloon Belgium Poland

15. Other activity across Europe 15/01/2016 15 Sweden

16. UK update 15/01/2016 16 Long-term monitoring of afforested blanket bog restoration Felling only →Initial but no secondary recovery Felling+damming →Secondary recovery of water table

17. 15/01/2016 17 Longbridgemuir rewetting trial Afforested lowland raised bog restored 2002 By 2014 outer parts still too dry cut away edges underground peat cracks

18. Trial treatments 15/01/2016 18 Repacked trench As used in ‘cell bunding’ technique Membrane trench Includes membrane to ensure seal

19. Layout of trial 15/01/2016 19

20. Before and after the digging 15/01/2016 20 Before After

21. Effect of treatments on water table 15/01/2016 21 Treatments applied

22. Acknowledgements Case study authors: 1.Aileen O’Sullivan, Coillte 2.Kaisu Aapala 3.Anne Tolvanen, Anna Laine 4.Neville Geddes 15/01/2016 22 THE END

23. EU LIFE – Rebuilding Ireland’s Natural Capital