PM 31 - Create and restore buffers to peatland habitats

Code

PM 31

Measure

Create and restore buffers to peatland habitats

Description

Habitats surrounding peatlands offer an opportunity to support, buffer and protect the peatlands from several pressures, such as footpath erosion or trampling. These can include a mosaic of different habitat types, such as heathland, scrub and acid grassland. It is important to ensure that these habitats and their long-term management continue to support the hydrological conditions of the peatlands.

Wider environmental benefits

Improving air quality Improving water quality Increasing flood risk management Reducing climate change impact Improving soil health

Priority

Upland habitats are restored, and their condition is improved

Priority description

Upland habitats in Herefordshire include moorland, upland heath, acid grassland, rush pasture, bracken, scrub and peatlands. Between the upland moorland and more intensively managed lowland these habitats tend to occur as a mosaic known as ffridd. Due to the variety of habitats present in ffridd, including scattered trees, woodland, scrub, bracken, gorse, heathland, grassland, bog, scree and rock, its high structural diversity supports numerous and rare species. Peatland habitats, such as blanket bog and raised bog, provide valuable waterlogged habitat for a variety of species, including rare and specialist species such as sphagnum mosses. They also provide a number of important benefits, notably acting as vast stores of carbon and can mitigate the effects of flooding through water absorption.