Controlled Burning Helps Sphagnum Moss Recovery on Grouse Moors

Paper: Post-burning responses by vegetation on blanket peat sites on a Scottish grouse moor

Controlled burning of heather on UK moorlands is often used to support red grouse management, but its effects on peatland health are frequently questioned. A study in south-west Scotland adds to the evidence that, when done properly, burning can benefit key peatland species without long-term harm.

Researchers revisited moorland plots burned between 2009 and 2014. They compared vegetation regrowth over ten years with nearby areas left unburned.

They found that:

• Sphagnum moss - a vital peat-building plant - was five times more abundant in areas burned 8–10 years earlier compared to plots that had never been burned.

• Sphagnum growth was better in deeper peat, suggesting careful burning can help restore blanket bogs.

• As expected, heather cover, height, and biomass steadily increased over time after burning.

• Cotton grass initially declined post-burn but began to return after several years.

These results back up earlier findings from the North Pennines, showing that burns every 8–10 years can shift the balance away from dominant heather and encourage a mix of plant species, including those important for peat formation.

Importantly, reducing dense heather can lower the risk of intense wildfires - a growing concern for land managers and emergency services alike.

Takeaway: Done correctly, rotational burning can support healthy peatlands and reduce wildfire risks - helping those who live, work, and care for the moor.

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