Managing Blanket Bog - Burning, Cutting and the Risks

Paper: Assessing soil compaction and micro-topography impacts of alternative heather cutting as compared to burning as part of grouse moor management on blanket bog

More than a quarter of the UK’s land is upland, much of it blanket bog. These areas store most of the UK’s carbon and make up 15% of this rare global habitat.

Around 30% of UK blanket bog is managed for red grouse through rotational burning, which encourages heather growth.

As an alternative, some are exploring mechanical cutting instead of burning. But this approach brings its own risks. Heavy machinery can compact peat soils, squeezing out the air pockets that help store water. That means reduced capacity for holding water and potentially less resilience to drought or flooding.

Cutting can also flatten the natural surface of peatland. By shaving off the tops of hummocks - the clumps and tussocks that shape the landscape - it reduces micro-topography, which is important for plants and wildlife that rely on varied habitats.

This research highlights that there is no simple “one size fits all” solution. Both burning and cutting have impacts, and the challenge is finding a balance that supports carbon storage, water quality, wildlife, and the rural communities that manage these landscapes.

Takeaway: Decisions about peatland management must weigh up the risks and benefits of each method - because how we manage these habitats today will shape the health of our uplands, and the livelihoods they support, for generations to come.