Peatland Restoration: A Climate Solution with High Biodiversity Impact

Whether you know them as moors, bogs, fens, mires or peat swamp forest, peatlands have a critical role in tackling the climate crisis.

To find out why, we interviewed Rebecca Kimber-Danger, Managing Director & Co-Owner at Fowler Fortescue Rural Asset Management.

What is a peatland and why are they so important?

Rebecca: Peatlands are unique ecosystems characterized by the accumulation of organic material, primarily plant matter. Peatlands are also known as wetland areas where organic material decomposes very slowly under waterlogged conditions. They are extremely carbon-rich and protect some of our most valuable natural resources, including clean drinking water, flood mitigation, wildlife habitat and carbon storage.

Although peatlands cover only 3% of the Earth's surface, they are estimated to store nearly 30% of the world’s soil carbon stocks. Globally, over a quarter of peatlands have been destroyed due to various human activities and land use practices. The UK has one of the largest peatland areas in the world, covering two million hectares, more than half of which are located in Scotland. However, over 80% of these peatlands have already been damaged.

What is the primary goal of a peatland carbon project?

Rebecca: A peatland carbon project restores and conserves these critical habitats which prevents the release of stored carbon that occurs when the peat is exposed to air and begins to decompose.

Restoration efforts focus on returning the peatland to its waterlogged state, supporting biodiversity and enhancing carbon sequestration. This typically involves rewetting drained peatland and re-establishing native vegetation to stabilize the peat surface. Once restored, the peatland emits less carbon and can once again act as a sink for greenhouse gases.

What is the role of carbon finance in supporting these projects?

Rebecca: Carbon finance enables the restoration of previously degraded peatlands by providing the necessary funding through the sale of carbon credits, starting the long road to recovery.

The Peatland Code is a voluntary certification standard for UK peatland projects, with strong governance to ensure that the climate benefits being sold are real, quantifiable, additional, and permanent. During the validation process, Pending Issuance Units (PIUs) are created based on estimated carbon removals. These units are automatically converted into Peatland Carbon Units after the project is verified every five years after restoration activities, ensuring accurate measurement of carbon removals.

Tell us a bit more about the Scaliscro peatland project

Rebecca: The Scaliscro peatland project is situated on the Isle of Lewis, part of the Outer Hebrides in Scotland, UK. This remote and rugged location is renowned for its peatland landscapes, which have historically been degraded by drainage and extensive peat cutting.

The project rewets the peatland by blocking drainage ditches, reintroducing native vegetation, and carefully managing grazing to facilitate its recovery. Given the slow nature of peatland restoration, the project is expected to span several decades.

Scaliscro one of the first peatland projects to issue Peatland Issuance Units (PIUs), marking a significant milestone in peatland restoration through carbon finance.

How can peatland restoration protect marine life?

Rebecca: The Scaliscro restoration project plays a crucial role in supporting the Atlantic salmon population, which was recently listed as an endangered species on the IUCN Red List. The Isle of Lewis has historically been a vital spawning ground for salmon. However, peatland degradation led to quicker water runoff and increased acidity, which negatively impacts salmon habitats.

What does success look like for the Scaliscro project?

Rebecca: It’s estimated that the project will reduce 54,000 tonnes of CO₂e over its lifetime. An initial inspection will assess whether the restoration techniques have been properly implemented and meet the environmental goals. While minor adjustments may be needed based on the groundwork, the project includes a 15% buffer zone to detect and mitigate leakage – the displacement of degradation activity from the protected area to nearby unprotected areas. This helps manage potential risks more effectively and accommodate unforeseen environmental changes, ensuring accurate measurement of the carbon reduction achieved.

In its early stages, the project has shown promising results, with initial rewetting efforts leading to noticeable improvements in the peatland health and biodiversity. This includes better conditions for sea trout and salmon and improved vegetation quality that supports deer health.

What are the challenges to peatland restoration?

Rebecca: Peatland restoration faces several challenges, mainly due the high cost of restoration activities, the complexity of reversing centuries of degradation, and the need for ongoing management to maintain the peatland health. Balancing the interests of local communities, landowners, and restoration goals can also be difficult.

What innovations or partnerships can help overcome these challenges?

Rebecca: Innovative techniques are being used to design effective rewetting strategies and monitor the peatland health. For example, "zippering" involves carefully reshaping the land to restore natural hydrology by pulling soil into drainage channels and reestablishing vegetation. Timber blocks, which decompose over time, are used instead of plastics to stabilize the vegetation, providing support without harming the environment.

Partnerships with local communities, government agencies, and conservation organizations are crucial, as they bring together diverse expertise and resources to ensure the success and sustainability of peatland projects. It also helps align restoration efforts with agricultural practices, benefiting both conservation and local livelihoods.

What is the role of technology in a peatland project?

Rebecca: Technology plays a critical role in both the restoration and monitoring of peatland projects.

• Remote sensing, drone, and satellite imagery enable precise mapping and assessment of peatland conditions, including changes in vegetation, water levels, and overall health, even in large or hard to reach areas.
• Advanced hydrological models help in designing effective rewetting strategies by simulating water flow and identifying the best locations for blocking drainage ditches.
• Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis is now used to monitor biodiversity by detecting genetic material from various species in water samples.
• Acoustic sensors are used to track wildlife presence and activity, providing data on the return of native species.

These technological innovations enable more accurate, efficient, and comprehensive monitoring of peatland restoration efforts, ensuring that projects like Scaliscro become an effective carbon sink and biodiversity hotspot.

What additional positive impacts can a peatland project have?

Rebecca: Beyond carbon sequestration, peatland projects enhance biodiversity by creating and restoring habitats for various species, including rare and threatened birds, plants, and insects. As well as the Atlantic salmon, the project is a key habitat for the bog bush cricket, black darter dragonfly, round-leaved sundew, large heath butterflies, frogs and golden plover.

It also improves water quality by filtering and retaining water, which reduces downstream flood risks and provides clean water for local communities.

These projects also provide socio-economic benefits by creating local jobs in land management, conservation, and eco-tourism. Involving local communities in restoration efforts fosters environmental stewardship and ensures long-term, sustainable conservation practices. Healthier peatlands can attract tourists interested in wildlife and natural landscapes, further boosting local economies.

What do you want everyone to know about the power of peatlands as a climate tool?

Rebecca: By investing in peatland projects like Scaliscro, businesses can have a significant impact on climate change while protecting biodiversity and supporting local communities. Healthy peatlands act as carbon sinks, biodiversity hotspots, and water regulators, highlighting their multifaceted importance. Recognizing and harnessing the power of peatlands is crucial for achieving a sustainable and resilient future.