Authors:
Ben Smith, Susan Waldron, Andrew C. G. Henderson, Hugh Flowers, David Gilvear
Book:
Proceedings of the 14th International Peat Congress
Venue:
Stockholm
Keywords:
aquatic-carbon, dip-well, ditch-blocking, water-table-depth
Documentfile:
Smith 2012: The Impact of Ditch Blocking on Peatland Hydrology at the Gordonbush Estate, Brora, Scotland, UK
Summary:
Theme I. Inventory, stratigraphy and conservation of mires and peatlands
SUMMARY
Historically ditches have been cut into peatland landscapes associated with agricultural drainage and peat-cutting activities. Ditches present on peatland landscapes lower the depth of water table in the surrounding area and can subsequently lead to peatland degradation, increased carbon losses and increased water colourisation. Therefore, to limit the impact of these previous activities, ditch blocking is being used as an environmental restoration strategy as part of a wider habitat management plan associated with Gordonbush wind farm development project, to increase the water table height and improve the surrounding peatland habitat.