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Moors for the Future Frequently Asked Questions What is moorland? Moorland is a dynamic expression of wild nature, although much of it is managed by people; it is the epitome of a cultural landscape. Globally, heather moorland is virtually confined to Britain and Ireland, where great tracts are managed principally for grazing, field sports and amenity interests. This has maintained distinctive landscapes rich in wildlife. Open, semi-natural habitats with dwarf shrub heaths are moorland. These areas typically occur above enclosed farmland and reach up to around the climatic treeline (where the heaths become ‘alpine’ or ‘montane’). Moorland includes dry and wet heaths, blanket bogs, rough grasslands and the many habitats associated with these. Why are peat bogs important? - back to top The UK’s Blanket peat bogs are amongst the most important and valuable wildlife habitats we have. They are home to many important species of birds, thousands of rare insect species and a wealth of unusual plants. But only a fraction of near natural bog remains in the UK, with more than 94% having been damaged or destroyed. Bogs are also useful cultural reserves. The ecology of bogs makes them excellent for preserving archaeological remains and palaeoecological research. Why do the Moors need conserving? - back to top There are substantial areas of the moorland where the peat soil is being eroded. This erosion is the result of several factors:-
What kind of restoration works are planned? - back to top Heather restoration in areas of moorland where heather is still present, in a suppressed or dormant form, can sometimes be achieved by a reduction in the level of grazing by domestic stock, particularly over the winter months. In selected areas where severe erosion is taking place (usually where there has been a deep seated summer fire at some time in history) an extensive restoration project will be undertaken. This will include areas seed will be applied to achieve a good level of reestablishment. Water management is becoming more important and moorland managers are being encouraged to block drains to prevent rapid water run off. This technique is known as gully blocking. If the moorland can retain water, and release it slowly, this can help to prevent flash floods downstream. Moorland should act as a sponge which absorbs heavy rainfall, and then releases water slowly into streams and rivers. Will it work? Is it a tried and tested methodology, or someone's 'off the wall' idea for a funding application? - back to top Techniques for moorland restoration are supported by 25 years of research in the Peak District. The Moors for the Future Project are now using these techniques on a large scale to restore over 6km2 of badly eroded moorland. Specialist researchers are continuing to expand our knowledge of restoration techniques. Are there other ways to enhance carbon storage besides planting trees? - back to top One of our greatest Carbon resources in Britain is peat. Peatlands are the single largest carbon reserve in the UK. With around 3 billion tonnes of carbon, more carbon is stored in UK peat than in the forests of Britain and France combined. The entire UK woodland estate contains only around 150 million tonnes of carbon in comparison. Within the UK carbon inventory peatlands are considered a net sink, that is peat bogs have the potential to actively sequester carbon. However, a recent Nature paper, states alarming figures that 80% of UK soils carbon losses are derived from upland peat soils. We estimate all of the peatlands in England and Wales could absorb around 400,000 tonnes of carbon a year if in pristine condition but could emit up to 381,000 tonnes of carbon a year if they are damaged by wildfires or practices such as over-grazing, excessive burning or drainage. Therefore moorland restoration is of great importance, as it can help fix carbon indefinitely (forests reach an equilibrium in ca 120 yrs of cycling carbon). Currently, you cannot get carbon credits for moorland restoration, yet, but the EU are revising the guidelines, as this change in land use/ land cover is theoretically set as one option within the Kyoto protocol (Marakesh protocol). We as a partnership are working towards this, and hope to achieve sound guidelines within the next years. What happens when you have a helicopter on site? - back to top In view of the remoteness of our restoration sites (see below) it is necessary to use helicopters for large scale moving of material such as bales of heather, geojute and seed on to site. When we have a helicopter drop it is governed by Civil Aviation Authority guidelines and has to be extremely well organised to make this expensive activity as efficient as possible. The work is very weather dependant and the team have had some very long, cold days on Bleaklow waiting for the weather to improve. (watch video clip) Where are the areas being restored? - back to top Many of the current fire damaged restoration sites are on Bleaklow in the Dark Peak. The specific site names are: Joseph Patch, Shelf Moor, Lawrence Edge, Yellowslacks, Hern Stones, Torside Grain and Sykes Moor. Other current restoration sites, also in the Dark Peak, are Shining Clough, Saddleworth Moor and Arnfield Moor. We are also undertaking path restoration work. These sites include Ringing Roger and Grindsbrook southern edge, Higger Tor, Curbar Edge, Shining Tor and Cut Gate, leading out of the Langsett Reservoir. What surveys are Moors for the Future undertaking? - back to top Our research staff have the challenging task of bringing together existing moorland records and knowledge as well as gathering new survey data to establish baseline survey data, a bit like undertaking a ‘health check’ of the current conditions of our moors. This information will help us, our partners and all involved in protecting, restoring and managing our moorland heritage. The team are undertaking the following surveys and monitoring tasks using a combination of monitoring techniques and Geographical Information Systems. 1. The extent and condition of the moorland vegetation Will the public have access to the projects research information? - back to top The project has a research suite as part of its Moorland Visitor and Research Centre. Anyone will be able to use this facility to study the library or electronic information which the project is collecting. Booking essential. What are section 3 moorlands? - back to top The National Park undertook a survey of moor and heath as a requirement of section 43 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981). This consisted of aerial photography interpretation and field survey work. Other mapped areas include limestone dale, limestone hill and heath, ancient woodland, and other semi-natural woodland. The Moors For the Future project use section 3 moorlands as our core area. How does peat form? - back to top Most of the peat across the Peak District is blanket peat which is predominantly a mixture of partially decayed plants that have accumulated in a waterlogged environment where the breakdown of plant material is reduced in aerobic conditions. Here organic matter builds up at a greater rate then it is decomposed, forming peat. Peat has formed over thousands of years by the build up of layers of plants such as sphagnum moss, cotton grass and heathers. It is up to 4 metres deep in places. As the decomposition of organic matter by micro-organisms is reduced under waterlogged conditions, the decay rate and also the accumulation rate is controlled by the position of the water table. Often the development of pools, lakes and drainage systems can be seen dissecting the surface of the bog. I'm looking for a moderate walk starting at
the Moorland Centre - where would you recommend?-
back to top The Moors for the Future Project is keen to involve volunteers. We will have work for skilled volunteers such as botanical survey work and will need assistance from gardening and horticultural societies to help us grow on some of the more difficult to obtain plant species. We will also on occasion be running large work parties to spread heather brash and other works. We have a volunteer policy and opportunities for volunteers will be advertised under the opportunities page of this web site. What is heather brash? - back to top Heather brash is both baled heather (cut and baled in long stalks) and double chopped brash cut and bagged by a forage harvester. Heather is harvested from local moors in the autumn when it is rich in heather seed. The heather brash is then applied onto the worst eroded areas of blanket bog. This technique provides a soil level microclimate optimum for germination and growth of the seeds the project is applying to these areas and supplies fresh heather seed within the brash. In most cases the heather brash is delivered to site by helicopter and then spread by hand, a laborious and labour expensive task. Why do we use heather brash? - back to top Using heather brash is the equivalent of mulching your garden - the 'brash' contains seeds and also provides an excellent microclimate for the germination of both the nurse grass seeds and heather seeds. What is a nurse crop? - back to top A fast growing grass species is applied to provide initial surface stabilisation whilst the heather establishes. This nurse crop species will eventually die off after about 3 - 5 years by which time the heather should have established. What seed mix do you use and why? - back to top The Moors for the Future Project is using a seed mix which has been agreed with English Nature, who are responsible for protecting these conservation sites which the project is helping to restore. The species used in the seed mix are all either native to these blanket bog areas or are known through trials to act as a good soil stabilising and nurse crop (they grow quickly and provide some protection and moisture retention to assist the slowly establishing native plants). Why doesn’t the vegetation regenerate by itself? - back to top Decades of atmospheric pollution from the conurbations of Manchester and Sheffield have fallen in acidic rain on the Peak District Moorlands which have also suffered from high levels of sheep grazing. Under such extreme conditions any damage caused, by accidental and deliberate, deep-seated summer fires, has never had a chance of recovery. What does the geotextile do on Bleaklow? - back to top Geojute is used on the steep sides of the large peat hags to stabilise the steep surface and give the reseeded areas some support until they get established. The geojute material is a coarse biodegradable netting, which is made in India. Why can’t I let my dog run free on the moor? He is very well behaved and wouldn’t disturb anything… - back to top Moors are rich in wildlife, including ground-nesting birds, which can be easily disturbed by free roaming dogs. Moors that are designated “open country” under the new countryside and rights of way act contains strict guidelines, including that dogs should be kept on leads of no more than 2m in length during the bird breeding season (1 March to end of August) and when in the vicinity of livestock. It is sometimes not obvious to a dog owner that their well-behaved pet is any sort of a threat, but to a ground nesting bird it is seen only as a predator. A dog putting a bird off a nest especially on a cold wet spring day can result in the failure of that clutch of eggs. Does this mean the Moors will be closed for the duration of the project? - back to top The moors will remain open when we are carrying out restoration. Please take notice of staff on site who may be supervising helicopter operations. You may be directed away from certain areas during these operations for health and safety reasons. Why are there fences on Bleaklow? - back to top After reseeding of an area it is necessary to prevent grazing by domestic animals until the new heather is well established. This is being done over most of the restoration sites through the “Environmentally Sensitive Area Scheme” which is organised by the Department of Environment Farming and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). This scheme pays a subsidy to farmers to reduce or in our case remove grazing stock by providing stock enclosure fences. There is now a stock fence around the whole of the Bleaklow summit plateaux. People are still allowed in theses areas and stiles are provided at regular points. Who are the Moors For the Future partners? - back to top Moors For The Future is a Heritage Lottery funded project and is co-ordinated by the following partners: Peak District National Park Authority, National Trust, Natural England, United Utilities, Yorkshire Water, Severn Trent Water, Environment Agency, Derbyshire County Council, Sheffield City Council and Moorland Owners. How many staff does Moors for the Future have? - back to top We have eleven staff as follows: Chris Dean, Project Manager Are there any plans for any trees to be planted on the moors? - back to top Under the Moors for the Future, we are not planning
to plant trees on any parts of the moors. Our main task is to try and
restore blanket bog and heather moorland on fire damaged sites, predominantly
on the Bleaklow Massif. We are working to restore 300 hectares of eroded
peat, which is severely eroding. I am interested in pursuing a career in the outdoors. I wondered how the people who are carrying out the work on the moors got into the job, whether it was a volunteer work, or a paid position, and what qualifications are necessary? - back to top Some of our practical work, such as gully blocking, is carried out by the Peak District National Park's countryside maintenance team. The work programme is organised by Matt Buckler who is the Conservation Works Manager for Moors For The Future. Some of the larger jobs, such as spreading heather brash, have been carried out by contractors. We are hoping to develop opportunities for volunteering soon. All job vacancies are advertised on the National Parks web site: http://www.peakdistrict.org under essentials. Many of us have started off with voluntary work in order to get experience on top of our qualifications. There is a wide range of degree and other relevant courses. A useful guide to getting started in 'countryside' jobs is contained on the Nature Net web site: www.naturenet.net. I often drive from Glossop to Sheffield over the Snake Pass. As you climb up the hill out of Glossop, there are very large patches of heather which are obviously cut or trimmed as there are so many large rectangular shapes. My family and I have various theories about why these are there, possibly for aircraft, possibly an experiment to see how heather regenerates or not... Can you tell us the real answer, please? - back to top The patchwork of heather that you have seen is to create different levels of vegetation for grouse production. The Peak District moors have been used for grouse shooting for a long time. Grouse can shelter in the tall stands of heather and feed on the young shoots which sprout up following cutting or burning. This particular habitat mosaic near Glossop looks odd and geometrical due to being cut rather than burnt. Both cutting and burning as a management tool have their advantages and disadvantages and the land manager will take into account various circumstances and location as to which is most appropriate. Further details can be obtained from the English Nature web site. Can you supply a figure for the total extent of moorland in the Peak District?- back to top There are 522.4 square km of section 3 moorlands in the Peak District. I have recently read about your intention to restore the Cut Gate bridleway. I am an avid mountain biker and have ridden the bridleway route in both directions many times over the last 12 years. It is an extremely satisfying challenge to ride when the ground conditions are suitable. Whilst I am wholly sympathetic for the environmental reasoning behind the restoration, I am somewhat wary that, post restoration, the trail will be sanitized. What techniques are you are intending to use to restore the path? - back to top The level of work proposed for Cut Gate differs depending on level of use and the nature of the area. There is a major change in the level of work at the point that the two bridleways join (SK191 986), as this is the route used as a circular walk by people parking at Langsett. All surfaces have to be acceptable to the relevant Highways Authority, in this case Sheffield City Council. As this is a bridleway, all surfaces have to be usable by horses. The highest priority work will be on the sections suffering most damage, together with the sections at the top of the route where the deep peat is eroding. We are likely to use flagstones on the upper sections as they provide the best surface across eroding deep peat. Whilst not ideal for horses, they can be used in this type of situation. All of the bodies involved in this restoration work are very keen to maintain the wild nature of the path and there will not be any widening of the route from the junction of the paths towards Marjory Hill, ie Mickleden Edge will be maintained at its current width for its entire length, with some passing places put in at sites along the edge where there is already a natural widening of the path. Why is it necessary to use fertiliser on the moors as part of your restoration? - back to top The most important factor in restoring the moors is the initial stabilising of the peat. This process gives a period of breathing space that enables the typical moorland vegetation to come back. The method that we use for this is a nurse grass crop made up of agricultural grasses. These species are not hardy enough to survive the very low pH (2.5-3) and very low soil fertility (P-index <1) present on the moors and need our help in the form of granulated lime and fertiliser. These are both applied by helicopter at low levels that will not persist for more than a couple of years, by which time the species introduced in the heather brash, or by plug-planting or hydro-seeding, should have established, protecting the peat. The lowland grass species, which are the first step on the road to recovery, will find the soil conditions without an annual application of lime and fertiliser too difficult, leaving only the native species. In 5 years time, the soil chemistry should be similar to that found at present and the nurse grass species should have started to die out. Please can you tell me how the stone flags were delivered to the footpath of Shining Tor? I was up there on Monday and they all looked so neat in their bundles! I decided it must have been by helicopter because access is so limited, how long did it take? - back to top Yes, the flags were all delivered by helicopter
at the end of March 2006, over a period of four days. This meant flying
486 flights, which was a phenomenal effort by all of the pilots and ground
crew! The helicopter flew from Stake Farm near the Cat and Fiddle pub
and carried approximately one tonne at a time. The flags will be used
to resurface the path starting at the trig point and continuing for approximately
2.2km towards Cat's Tor. |
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The partners are: Peak District National Park Authority, National Trust, Natural England, United Utilities, Severn Trent Water, Environment Agency, Derbyshire County Council, Sheffield City Council, Yorkshire Water and Moorland Owners. |