In western Clare, a blanket bog is experiencing renewed vitality as a nearby farmer has consented to rehydrate sections of his property. This initiative aims at enhancing conditions conducive to biodiversity enhancement.
The Knocknahila Bog Peatland Rewetting Initiative is a significant endeavor aimed at restoring parts of a blanket bog located close to Mullagh. It marks the second time a local community has spearheaded such a peatland restoration effort within County Clare, with this being the inaugural initiative of its type in Western Clare.
The initiative involves a joint undertaking among local farmer Seán Tubridy, the Knocknahila Community Group, and Barry O'Loughlin from Clare County Council’s biodiversity department.
Promoting the idea among fellow farmers to restore wetlands, Seán Tubridy commented, "Our farm includes 27 acres of abandoned bog where planting trees was undesirable. By restoring moisture, this area can naturally thrive with various types of mosses and vegetation, effectively capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This enhanced habitat will benefit species like the hen harrier, merlin, larks, and numerous bird varieties, providing them better places to rest, build nests, and find food. Additionally, we anticipate seeing significant growth in amphibian populations such as frogs and newts, along with aquatic insects including water striders, damselflies, and dragonflies."
We are hopeful that our project will serve as a model for other farmers with similarly sized farms. Instead of planting crops, they could restore wetlands to enhance biodiversity. Our livestock continues to feed on the grass surrounding the restored peatland area. We invite fellow farmers to visit and witness this approach firsthand.
Financed by Clare County Council’s Biodiversity Office along with the Local Biodiversity Action Fund (National Parks and Wildlife Service), this initiative seeks to restore water levels across portions of a 27-acre peatland area.
The Knocknahila blanket bog had been harvested for turf over a century ago, yet this activity ultimately stopped. With time, the nearby drainage system deteriorated, resulting in parts of the bog naturally becoming wetter again as the clogged drains filled up with mosses and the groundwater level rose closer to the surface. These circumstances provided optimal conditions for Sphagnum moss—the primary creator of peat in bogs—to thrive and spread across the bog area.
In June 2023, it was determined that Mr. Tubridy’s peatland was appropriate for rewetting purposes, leading to the establishment of the Knocknahila Community Biodiversity Group by locals. This initiative successfully secured financing for conducting hydrological assessments with assistance from the RPS Group and Blackthorn Ecology. Such investigations confirmed minimal impact on adjacent properties and guaranteed that all perimeter drainage channels stayed accessible.
The execution of the project included setting up peat dams inside open ditches with the aim of increasing the water table so that Sphagnum moss could grow successfully.
A series of peat bunds, functioning akin to small dams to retain water within the bog, have been put in place to rewet specific areas of the bog. Consequently, Knocknahila Bog is now facilitating the growth of the scarce peatland ecosystem referred to as 'an active blanket bog'.
The project, executed by peatland specialist Kevin Farrell and monitored by the council’s biodiversity officer, led to the development of this newly redesigned habitat for various species including dragonflies, damselflies, frogs, smooth newts, and birds like the snipe, hen harrier, and merlin. Birds that have been decreasing in population, such as snipe and curlew, rely on this kind of environment for their nesting needs.
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