Revegetation of the Peak District National Park
As part of the Sustainable Catchment Management Plan phase 1 (SCaMP1) scheme, we’re well on our way to revegetating the large areas of bare and eroding peat on our catchment land in the Peak District National Park. Working with Natural England and specialist moorland contractors Dinsdale Moorland Services we have stabilised the bare peat and spread lime, fertiliser and grass seed by helicopter.
On flatter areas, chopped-up heather brash was flown out in bags and spread by hand on bare areas. In total 7000 bags were spread during the winter of 2007/2008, 25% over our expected profile.
On steeper areas geotextile netting is used to stabilise the bare peat. The geotextile provides a secure place for the grasses to grow. Just under six miles of geotextile has been laid, which is 30% better than expected. Last year’s wet and warm summer provided excellent growing conditions and the results have been dramatic.
What were dark areas of peat are now bright green patches, demonstrating the large scale improvements that we’ve made to our drinking water catchments. As a result of the revegetation project, not only are grasses growing through but heather seed from the brash has germinated in the spring and is now establishing itself.
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