Coillte and the EU LIFE Programme: 10 Years of Restoration Works on Afforested Peatlands in Ireland

Authors:
Michael Delaney, Philip Murphy, Angela Wallace

Book:
Proceedings of the 14th International Peat Congress

Venue:
Stockholm

Keywords:
bog-restoration, coillte, life, water-levels

Documentfile:
Delaney et al 2012: Coillte and the EU LIFE Programme: 10 Years of Restoration Works on Afforested Peatlands in Ireland

Summary:

Theme V. Restoration, rehabilitation and after-use of disturbed peatlands

SUMMARY

Coillte is a commercial company managing Ireland’s publicly owned forests. It has secured and managed three LIFE co-funded projects for the restoration of blanket bog and raised bog habitat. The main work was the felling of plantation conifers and the blocking of drains. The main objective was to raise and maintain water-levels close to the surface of the bog to create the conditions which will allow habitat regeneration. Changes in vegetation and water levels were monitored. Recovery of bog vegetation varied according to the density of the tree crop which had been removed. There has been a marked increase in water-levels on most sites. Regenerating trees will be monitored. Restoration should have a positive effect beyond the restoration area. The work has contributed to a greater knowledge of afforested bog restoration.