Modelling the impact of marginal cutting on raised bog Topography and conservation

Authors:
Alister Best and Raymond Flynn

Book:
Proceedings of the 15th International Peat Congress

Venue:
Kuching

Keywords:
conservation, modelling, peatlands, subsidence

Documentfile:
ipc16p428-432a092bestflynn.pdf

Summary:

SUMMARY

Irish peatland conservation programmes need to be implemented sustainably and in accordance with the law. Any approach needs to consider not only legal and technical issues, but also the social and financial elements of conservation and restoration strategies. Article 6.3 of the EU Habitats Directive provides a mechanism allowing ongoing human activity within Natura 2000 areas, protecting priority habitats, provided these do not conflict with site conservation objectives (COs). Allowing continued localised peat cutting on SACs, containing active raised bog and degradeg, requires a robust site characterisation strategy to predict changes in hydrolod raised bogical supporting conditions and their impact on site-specific COs. Profiling peat properties across uncut peatlands…