Study

Response of blanket bog vegetation to drain-blocking

  • Published source details Bellamy P.E., Stephen L., Maclean I.S. & Grant M.C. (2012) Response of blanket bog vegetation to drain-blocking. Applied Vegetation Science, 15, 129-135.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Rewet peatland (raise water table)

Action Link
Peatland Conservation
  1. Rewet peatland (raise water table)

    A replicated site comparison study in 2007 in four blanket bogs in Scotland, UK (Bellamy et al. 2012) reported that two rewetted bogs had, after 3–11 years, similar cover of bog-characteristic vegetation and open water (6–26%) to bogs that remained drained (5–16%). This result is not based on a test of statistical significance. Additionally, in one bog (Cross Lochs), transects rewetted eleven years before measurement had greater cover of bog plants/open water (26%) than transects rewetted only four years before (10%). Between 1996 and 2004, two drained bogs were rewetted by blocking most of their drainage ditches with peat and plastic dams. Two other bogs remained drained (ditches were not blocked). In summer 2007, cover of vegetation and open water were recorded in each bog along 30–60 randomly placed 1 m transects. Cover of bog characteristic Sphagnum moss species, common cottongrass Eriophorum angustifolium, dead heather Calluna vulgaris and open water were combined into a ‘bog recovery index’ for analysis.

    (Summarised by: Nigel Taylor)

Output references
What Works 2021 cover

What Works in Conservation

What Works in Conservation provides expert assessments of the effectiveness of actions, based on summarised evidence, in synopses. Subjects covered so far include amphibians, birds, mammals, forests, peatland and control of freshwater invasive species. More are in progress.

More about What Works in Conservation

Download free PDF or purchase
The Conservation Evidence Journal

The Conservation Evidence Journal

An online, free to publish in, open-access journal publishing results from research and projects that test the effectiveness of conservation actions.

Read the latest volume: Volume 21

Go to the CE Journal

Discover more on our blog

Our blog contains the latest news and updates from the Conservation Evidence team, the Conservation Evidence Journal, and our global partners in evidence-based conservation.


Who uses Conservation Evidence?

Meet some of the evidence champions

Endangered Landscape ProgrammeRed List Champion - Arc Kent Wildlife Trust The Rufford Foundation Save the Frogs - Ghana Mauritian Wildlife Supporting Conservation Leaders
Sustainability Dashboard National Biodiversity Network Frog Life The international journey of Conservation - Oryx Cool Farm Alliance UNEP AWFA Bat Conservation InternationalPeople trust for endangered species Vincet Wildlife Trust