Peat bog repair to benefit habitats

ANCIENT peat bogs at Cors Caron that provide a habitat for rare wildlife and emit high levels of carbon dioxide are currently being repaired by National Resource Wales (NRW).

The restoration aims to slow down and stop water loss from the bogs to restore their ability to keep water levels close to the surface.

This will enable them to form new peat, which traps carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and benefits rare and unique bog wildlife.

Andy Polkey, senior reserves manager for NRW, said: “Healthy peat bogs are rare, provide habitats for special wildlife and bring a huge benefit when it comes to climate change so it’s important to maintain them as best we can.

“A healthy peat bog doesn’t just store carbon in peat laid down over thousands of years, but constantly forms new peat, locking up more carbon each year.”

Located north of Tregaron and formed more than five thousand years ago, the bogs were damaged by locals historically harvesting them for peat for heating purposes.

The damage has also caused a decline in rare bog wildlife which is why Cors Caron was declared as a NNR and European Special Area of Conservation.

The bogs also make a big contribution to the local economy as maintaining these three sites has provided work for local contractors for more than 20 years.