Benefits of the project
This strategy has been developed to optimise ecosystem service benefits of peatland rehabilitation and restoration such as carbon storage, biodiversity and water (catchment management). These improvements are in line with the Government Climate Action agenda and will bring significant benefits for the environment and people. They will also create a stable natural landscape for the benefit of wildlife as well as of neighbours and local communities in former peat production areas.
These improvements will prioritise the development of peat-forming habitats, where possible. This will optimise climate action benefits (reducing carbon emissions significantly) by re-wetting the residual peat to keep carbon in the ground and accelerate the trajectory towards naturally functioning peatland ecosystems.
Eventually carbon sinks can be developed again, although successful peatland restoration takes time. Continual monitoring will be carried out to measure and evaluate progress and delivery of benefits (e.g. biodiversity and greenhouse gas fluxes).