LOWLAND RAISED BOGS LOCAL BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN

LOWLAND Raised Bogs

Local Biodiversity Action Plan

SUMMARY

Intact lowland raised bogs are a priority habitat and one of Europe’s rarest and most threatened habitats. They occur throughout the UK in flat low-lying basins. Since the start of the 19th century, the extent of prime lowland raised bog has decreased by about 95%.

Raised bogs are peatlands fed exclusively by rainfall rather than ground water or streams. Growth of Sphagnum moss creates a dome shape which does not allow water to collect or flow inward. Fully intact bogs are typically surrounded by a lagg fen or wetland area which is fed by surface water.

Some factors affecting lowland raised bogs include:

Drainage of the bog and the bog edges

Commercial peat extraction

Afforestation

Inappropriate grazing

Biocide spray drift

Scrub encroachment

Fires

Various projects are currently underway to protect raised bogs. These include work organised by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Agricultural College and the Countryside Premium Scheme. The UK Action Plan aims to manage the remaining 6,000 hectares of raised bog and rehabilitate a further 11,000 hectares of damaged raised bog. This can be achieved directly through appropriate management of vegetation and hydrology, for example by removing invasive scrub species and increasing water table levels. Ecological surveying will monitor the success of this, while education to increase understanding will ensure long-term success.

1. Current Status

Intact lowland raised bogs are one of Europe’s rarest and most threatened habitats. They occur throughout the UK in flat low-lying locations or basins. Since around the start of the 19th century, the extent of primary, active lowland raised bog has decreased from 95,000 ha to 6,000 ha, decline of 94%. The remaining 6,000 ha resource is scattered across a large number of small sites. The 591 ha of open, active raised bog so far surveyed in Aberdeenshire represents approximately 10% of the total national resource of this habitat.

Raised bogs are peatlands fed exclusively by precipitation rather than surface ground water or burns. Vegetation is dominated by Sphagnum, this forming the characteristic peat dome. ‘Primary raised bogs’ have their peat dome largely intact, whereas ‘secondary’ or ‘degraded’ raised bogs have had this dome damaged, at least in part. ‘Active raised bogs’ are those where peat is accumulating due to growth of Sphagnum, or other peat forming vegetation. On degraded raised bogs active peat formation has been halted, at least temporarily.

Fully intact bogs typically have a lagg fen surrounding them, which is a wetland area fed by surface ground water unlike the bog itself which is ombrotrophic (ie. rain-fed).

2. Ecological Data

Associated rare species:

According to the recently compiled habitats and species audit ‘Biodiversity in North East Scotland’ (Alexander et al., 1997), the only rare species occurring on lowland raised bogs in North East Scotland are as follows:

Argynnis selene small pearl-bordered fritillary butterfly (species of conservation concern) - this species is widespread, breeding on damp grassland on the edges of the bogs.

Coenonympha tullia large heath butterfly (species of conservation concern) - this species is widespread on middle altitude moors but is also found on Red Moss, Netherley and the Rora Moss complex. These low altitude colonies are of conservation interest and other bogs should be surveyed to establish the full distribution of the species.

Emberiza schoeniclus reed bunting (priority species) - this species is widespread but mostly dependent on wetlands, including raised bogs.

As more information on rare species (particularly birds and invertebrates) becomes available, this plan will be modified to incorporate new action points.

3. Current Factors Affecting Lowland Raised Bogs

These can be divided into anthropogenic factors and those arising from ecological relationships within the habitat (see Table 1.). It should be noted that many so called ‘natural’ changes occurring on raised bogs are indirectly attributable to anthropogenic factors. Each factor has been assigned a score relating to relative ‘damage significance’.

Scores:

Number of sites affected:

1 = Over 80% of sites estimated be affected

2 = Between 20% – 80% of sites estimated to be affected

3 = Under 20% of sites estimated to be affected

Type and extent of damage:

A = likely to destroy the habitat or render bog restoration extremely difficult.

B = modifies habitat such that bog restoration may be expensive and problematic.

C = no lasting negative impact– bog restoration possible and relatively inexpensive.

Table 1. Current factors affecting lowland raised bogs in North East Scotland

Anthropogenic Factors	Damage Significance
Drainage both on the bogs, around the bog edges (‘peripheral’ drainage), and of the associated lagg fen	1B
Commercial peat extraction	3A
Fires	3C
Afforestation	2B
Agricultural reclamation	2A
Tipping (legal and illegal)	3C
Eutrophication of surrounding waters and lagg fen by agriculture	2C
Domestic peat extraction (present day)	3C
Domestic peat extraction (historical)	1C
Management for shooting	?
Inappropriate grazing	?C
Biocide spray drift	2C
Inappropriate public access (including recreational pressure)	?C
Atmospheric deposition of nitrogen and other pollutants	?
Site isolation through habitat destruction of raised bog ‘complexes’

Ecological Factors
Scrub encroachment	2B
Encroachment of non-native plants	3C
Fires	3C
Grazing and trampling by deer	3C
Ecological isolation through natural geography	n/a

The threats listed in Wynne, G. et al (1995) Biodiversity Challenge - an agenda for conservation in the UK (2nd Edition. RSPB, Sandy) are given below:

Commercial peat extraction commercial forestry

Agricultural drainage in adjacent areas acid deposition

Built developments including roads water abstraction

Mineral extractions e.g. coal, sand, gravel waste disposal

4. Current Action

Current local action is listed below.

Site designation by SNH and Local Authorities.

Designation of Arnhall Moss LNR (currently suffering severe scrub encroachment)

Survey by SWT leading to recommendations to SNH for Special Areas of Conservation designation, including 9 sites in Aberdeenshire (SWT report to SWCL, 1997).

SWT currently negotiating with raised bog landowner at Newton of Middlemuir, Aberdeenshire.

SNH/SWT action, via public enquiry, at Rora Moss – planning application for peat extraction refused.

SNH commissioned a restoration feasibility study at Balearn Moss with potential involvement from SEPA.

SNH Application under consideration for Agenda 5b grant aid for restoration works at four sites and hydrological and ecological surveys at others.

Inclusion of raised bogs in CPS prescriptions.

SNH promotional tour (Wild, Wet and Wonderful) in 1999 / 2000.

5. Benefits

Implementation of this Action Plan will provide the following benefits

Conservation of a rare and declining habitat

Increased awareness, hence protection of raised bogs

Conservation of rare and common species which live on raised bogs

6. UK Biodiversity Objectives and Targets

UK and Scotland

The national targets listed in Wynne, G. et al (1995) Biodiversity Challenge - an agenda for conservation in the UK (2nd Edition. RSPB, Sandy) are as follows:

Safeguard and manage for conservation the bogs in the UK, which contain the remaining 6,000 hectares of raised bog in a reasonably natural condition.

Safeguard and begin to rehabilitate at least 4,000 hectares of degraded bog.

Rehabilitate a further 7,000 hectares of severely damaged sites, either cut over or afforested with the aim of encouraging the growth of raised bog vegetation.

The 1996 report to the UK Biodiversity Steering Group contains a habitat statement for raised bogs and outlines conservation measures to be considered, including:

Promote alternatives to peat and moss in horticulture and in energy production

Evaluate existing measures for conserving and managing lowland raised peat bogs

Protect lowland raised bogs from inappropriate uses by identifying them in other plans and Forest Indicative Strategies.

Promote understanding and appreciation of raised bogs

Encourage the restoration of degraded lowland raised bogs

7. Objectives and Proposed targets

Principal Objective

Maintain and enhance the extent, and status, of current resource through appropriate habitat management, data collection, promotion, education, liaison and legislation.

7.1 Habitat

Objective 1

Effective conservation management

Target

Reduce impact of listed threats

Maintain appropriate Hydrological regime

Time

1998 - 2002

Raised bogs are at risk from a number of threats. With effective management for conservation, these can be minimised.

7.2 Data collection

Objective 2

Continuous monitoring of habitats

Target

Encourage survey, monitoring and research

Time

1998 - 2002

7.3 Promotion and Education

Objective 3

Increased understanding of raised bogs

Target

Promote good management practice

Promote public awareness

Encourage educational use

Time

1998 ongoing

This objective is linked with the others, the aim being to increase public and landowners’ awareness of raised bogs. Through this promotion, conservation management and monitoring should be facilitated.

7.4 Liaison/legislation

Objective 4

Protection through designation

Target

Statutory & non-statutory designation

Appropriate environmental policies

Time

1998 - 2002

It is preferable that sites should be protected through advice and adoption of appropriate management techniques. Raised bogs, especially primary bogs should be afforded extra protection through designation as Local Nature Reserves (as with Arnhall Moss) or other local or statutory label. Designation as Sites of Special Scientific Interest, defines acceptable and unacceptable management operations on site

The action plan was prepared by Jonathon Hughes, Mark Young and Mike Davidson

PROPOSED ACTIONS REQUIRED TO MEET OBJECTIVES

Operational Objective

Outline Prescription

Objective

Personnel

Costs

Fund Source

Year

Priority

1. Prevent and/or reduce threats to the resource through established management techniques

Construct dams and/or bunds in appropriate drains on the main peat domes at appropriate sites.

Dam appropriate drains/outflows on the periphery of appropriate sites.

LO, SWT, SNH

£25,000

£15,000

SNH

1998-02

2. Maintain primary peat surface free from invasive species on all sites with ‘active’ peat

Control any undesirable species, particularly birch scrub and, where possible, improve quality of bogs through removal of plantations.

LO, SWT, SNH

£7,000

SNH

1998-02

3. Prevent erosion of peat on those sites where this is identified as a problem.

Seal off severely eroding areas through bund construction

Avoid over use of eroded areas by grazing mammals, and any educational groups/visitors

Block off badly eroded informal paths with brash from scrub removal operations.

LO, SWT, SNH

LO, SWT

£10,000

£50

£2,400

SNH

1999

1999-02

1998-02

4. Maintain and enhance populations of large heath and small pearl-bordered fritillary butterflies on raised bogs.

On those bogs where butterflies are known to occur, maintain habitat appropriate to their needs.

LO, SWT, SNH

£750

SNH

1998-02

5. Manage the hydrological regime at all possible sites to maintain sufficiently high water levels

Where possible re-flood the lagg fen area through blocking of key peripheral drainage channels.

Construct dams in appropriate drains/outflows on the periphery.

LO, SWT, SNH

£3,060

£15,000 (above)

SNH

1998-00

6. Encourage survey, monitoring and research, to aid understanding of the resource and its management

Carry out at least 3 research projects to investigate the hydrology and ecology of NE raised bogs

Liaise with other universities and research institutes with a view to attracting students and specialists to sites in the north-east

UA, SWT

UA, SWT, MRG

£6,000

£500

RC, SNH

1999-01

1998-02

7. Set up monitoring programmes on at least those sites where habitat management is carried out

Install WALRAGS and/or dipwells on those sites where hydrological management is effected and measure at least twice yearly.

Set up permanent quadrats near hydrological apparatus and record at least twice yearly

Set up schemes for monitoring Lepidoptera.

LO, SWT, SNH

All

£15,900

£7,000

£1,000

RC, UA, SNH

SNH

1998-02

8. Extend and complete survey of bogs in NE Scotland

Encourage SWT ‘SWAP’ project to survey those sites not surveyed during the Land Cover Survey of Scotland.

Encourage LA to survey, or commission survey of, any remaining unsurveyed sites.

Liaise closely with landowners before and during survey and provide information on LBAPs.

SWT

LA, SWT, SNH

All

£2,400

£12,000

SWT, SNH

1999-00

9. Promote good management practice on bogs

Produce guidance notes on best management practice on raised bogs and circulate.

SWT, RSPB, LO, SNFU, SAC

£2,000

SNH, SAC, RSPB

1998-99

10. Use current knowledge on raised bog management to guide management decisions

Produce Site Management Plans for at least 8 selected sites.

Revise every 5 years.

SWT, SNH, LA, FWAG, SAC, LO

£18,750

SNH

1998-02

11. Promote conservation of rare species on bogs

Incorporate information on rare bog species in the guidance notes (above), including how to identify large heath and small pearl-bordered fritillary butterflies.

1, 3

UA, SWT, RSPB

above

1998

12. Promote buffer zones

Incorporate information on techniques for buffer zone management in the guidance notes.

1, 3

SWT, RSPB, FWAG, SAC

above

1998

13. Promote recovery and restoration of degraded sites

Incorporate information on techniques for bog restoration in the guidance notes.

Hold workshop/seminar on bog restoration management techniques.

Lobby peat extraction companies to leave bogs in states suitable for restoration

1, 3

SWT

All

above

£2,000

above

SNH, RSPB

1998

1999

1998-02

14. Promote awareness and appreciation of bogs amongst owners and managers

Circulate and promote interpretation leaflet (below) and guidance notes (above).

LA, LO, SNFU, SAC

£1,500

SNH

1999

15. Promote public awareness and appreciation of bogs

Produce an interpretation leaflet on the natural and cultural heritage of raised bogs in NE Scotland.

Seek media coverage for any project or initiative related to raised bogs and biodiversity.

Liaise with Public Awareness sub-group on incorporating raised bogs into general display material on NE Biodiversity.

Encourage the use of peat-free alternatives to reduce cutting pressure on raised bogs.

All

LBSG

£4,000

£400

£300

SNH

1998

1998-02

1999

16. At appropriate sites encourage educational use and public access.

Initiate and maintain contact with local schools and other interested groups (below).

Liaise with local school teachers/schools on issues of safety and access on raised bogs

Liaise with local school teachers/schools on conservation management initiatives.

Provide safe public access at least to those sites where management is being carried out

LA, SWT

SAC, FWAG, LA, SWT

£750

£10,000

SNH

1998-02

17. Promote management of raised bog ‘complexes’ and other closely linked sites

Ensure active and rehabilitation management of the Rora/St Fergus complex of raised bogs

Encourage co-operation between organisations, farmers and landowners who have units of larger raised bog complexes on their property

SNH, SWT, PE

FWAG, SAC, LA, SWT, RSPB

as 1 above

£1,000

SNH

1999-00

1998-02

18. Promote appropriate statutory and non-statutory designation of sites

SWT to provide information on raised bog Wildlife Sites to Local Authorities

SNH to review the statutory status of recently and newly surveyed sites

RSPB to provide any information on bird populations on bogs for inclusion in Wildlife Sites survey results

SWT, LA

SNH

RSPB, LA, SWT

£200

RSPB

1998-02

1998

19. Encourage Local Authorities to adopt/establish appropriate environmental policies and strategies.

Incorporate all raised bog Wildlife Sites into local plans and structure plans.

Incorporate a strategy for raised bogs into revisions of any ‘countryside resource strategy’, ‘nature conservation strategy’, indicative forestry strategy’ or ‘state of the environment report’.

Encourage Local Authorities to prevent tipping and other deleterious activities on bogs

SWT, LA

All

£200

1998-02

20. Encourage other bodies to adopt/establish appropriate environmental policies and strategies towards raised bogs

In view of the deleterious affects of afforestation on raised bogs, support and encourage FC on its recent draft policy statement, which includes a presumption against planting on active raised bogs.

Encourage/review the inclusion of ‘sensitive raised bog buffer zone management’ in agri-environment schemes such as CPS.

Review CPS prescriptions for management of raised bogs

Encourage SEPA to prevent pollution events and other deleterious activities on bogs.

Review Local Biodiversity Action Plan annually

Carry out comprehensive 5 year review of LBAP

LBSG, FC

LBSG, SAC, FWAG, SERAD

LBSG

SEPA

All

£500

£1,000

£2,400

1999

1998

1999-02

2002

KEY

LA-Local Authority, SNH-Scottish Natural Heritage, SWT-Scottish Wildlife Trust, LO-Landowners and the Scottish Landowners Federation, SNFU-Scottish National Farmers Union, SERAD-Scottish Executive Rural Affairs Department, RC-Research Councils, UA-University of Aberdeen, MRG-Mires Research group, RSPB-Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, SAC-Scottish Agricultural College, FWAG-Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group, LBSG-Local Biodiversity Subgroup, PE-Peat Extractors, FC-Forestry Commission.