Restoration of raised bogs in Denmark with new methods

Introduction

Active raised bogs in Denmark has been under great pressure and more than 90% has been lost. Apart from one relative large active raised bog (Lille Vildmose) the raised bogs or Danish pSCIs are small and threatened by desiccation caused by former draining and peat excavation, tree encroachment and nutrient enrichment from atmospheric deposition of N or from influx of surface water from neighbouring agricultural areas. At most areas the cover of Sphagnum is not dense enough to secure peat formation and peat accumulation. The National Environmental Research Institute has preliminarily evaluated the conservation status of raised bogs in Denmark as unfavourable.
For this project seven proposed Sites of Community Importance has been selected to cover the variation in respect of threats, size, history of their management and surrounding landscape.
Objectives

The main objective of the project is to contribute significantly to upholding of the coherence of the network of Danish Natura 2000 sites with 7110 *Active raised bogs. This will be done by pursuing a twofold strategy.
Firstly, the project will restore and maintain a favourable conservation status for 7110 Active Raised bog at the 7 project sites by conserving the present areas of active raised bog vegetation as well as other Annex II habitat types in the project sites. The restoration will also provide the conditions for development of active raised bog vegetation on a further 398 ha.
Secondly the project develop the capacity in Denmark to restore bogs especially raised bogs by developing and disseminating restoration methodology for use in this project and more importantly for use in the present planning and future management of all pSCI with active raised bog habitat
Actions and means involved

The main restoration actions to be implemented by the project are blocking of drains and ditches by a variety of techniques; first time clearing of trees and scrubs; to a lesser degree clearing of re-growth will be necessary until restoration of hydrology take full effect.
Following the principles of good governance the project will be implemented using a participatory approach involving cooperation with stakeholders through meetings and public awareness initiatives. Information will focus on the values of bogs particularly Active raised bogs for conservation of biodiversity and the role of Natura 2000. The means to provide information will be media campaigns, boards erected at the project sites, meetings and a web-site.
The project will develop and adapt restoration techniques for bogs including methods for effective blocking of ditches and removal of wood produced by clearing operations. Emphasis will also be on methods of active re-vegetation with Sphagnum for sites systematically drained and afforested.
Capacity building of the staff involved will take place through seminars and exchange of experience. Dissemination of the results of the project for further capacity building of all professional staff in Denmark involved in management of raised bogs will be made by means of a seminar and by production of a publication with best management guidelines.
The Danish Forest and Nature Agency has the overall project responsibility and will implement its project responsibilities through the State Forest Districts. Project partners are the counties of Fyn, Sønderjylland, Vejle and Viborg
Expected results

Restoration of the hydrology of 361 ha of bog habitats
Clearing of 270,7 ha of overgrowth with trees and scrubs
Establishment of conditions for 398 ha of active raised bog to develop from degraded raised bog.
Reduction of the negative impact from nutrient enrichment by elimination of dry deposition of atmospheric N at trees and scrubs through clearing of 270,7 ha
Development of cost efficient and adequate methodology for restoration of raised bogs in Denmark.
Dissemination of methodology and results of the project in order to contribute to planning and implementation of restoration effort in the remaining network of raised bog sites in Denmark.

This project is co-funded by LIFE.

LIFE Nature is an EU programme aiming to conserve natural habitats and the wild fauna and flora of European Union interest, according to the Birds and Habitats directives, thus supporting implementation of the European Union's nature conservation policy and the Natura 2000 Network.

Natura 2000 is the Sites of Community Importance designated according to the Habitats Directive and the Special Protection Areas designated according to the Birds Directive. The Danish Ramsar Sites are all parts of the Special Protection Areas.

Contact

Danish Forest and Nature Agency,
Regional Office Kronjylland

Att. Jesper Stenild
Tingtofte, Vasevej 7, Fussingø
8920 Randers NV
Denmark
Phone (+45) 86 45 45 00
Fax (+45) 86 45 40 36
Email: Obfuscated Email