30th June 2015
CALLS to government for early action to avoid spiralling costs and impacts of climate change have been welcomed by the Moorland Association.
Following today’s publication of the Committee on Climate Change’s progress report, owners and managers of more than a million acres of uplands in England and Wales say they have played a key role in some of the natural environment recorded successes.
While the report says climate change represents substantial risks to England’s wildlife, clean water and carbon storage, it acknowledges 95 per cent of the country’s protected areas are in favourable or recovering conditions.
Moorland Association (MA) director, Amanda Anderson, said members welcomed the report’s findings and were proud of major contributions to ongoing peatland restoration, leading to improved carbon storage and water quality.
She explained: “The vast majority of peat restoration in the north of England has been carried out on grouse moors.
“Well over 4,000km of drainage ditches have been plugged on our members’ land to help re-wet bogs and many more are planned. In addition, hundreds of hectares of bare peat are also being revegetated.
“As part of England’s Peatland Restoration Strategy, we are now working with RSPB, water companies, farmers, ecologists, hydrologists, Natural England and Defra across 400,000 acres of deep peat to create wetter conditions and reintroduce the king of bog plants, Sphagnum moss.
“These actions have very achievable outcomes for agriculture and grouse moor management. They also protect the peat surface from erosion, help slow the flow and filtering of water and lock up carbon.
“As 70 per cent of the country’s drinking water comes from the uplands, the crucial work not only helps mitigate the effects of climate change, it helps improve water quality for millions of people.”
Mrs Anderson said MA was pleased that the report had recognised plans aimed at halting and reversing decades of decline in the natural environment and actions to restore species, habitats and ecosystems to reduce vulnerability to climate change.
She added: “We have shown through work to date that heather burning and peatland restoration do not have to be mutually exclusive.
“We have also been working with Natural England on trials for floating access tracks across wetlands in the north Pennines to counter concerns about permanent structures in sensitive areas.
“We are committed to sustainable moorland management and the unique suite of wildlife and habitats that rely on these precious landscapes.”
*Amanda Anderson is taking part in a key presentation at the Integrated Water Resource Management Conference on September 16. The annual event is aimed at helping everyone with a stake in river catchment management through shared expertise on water quality, flood resilience, river catchment management and shows how stakeholders can work together for a healthier water environment which benefits all. See www.wwt-environment.net for further details.
