Pilot site Cloncrow bog
A brief tour of the pilot site via:
-Report: Cloncrow Bog Restoration Case Study (main output)
-Our fact sheet
-Our Panaroma-solution
Summary
The Cloncrow Bog pilot site is part of a Natural Heritage Area (NHA) located 2 km northwest of the town of Tyrrellspass, County Westmeath, Ireland. The entire NHA is approximately 230 ha while the project pilot site focuses on approximately 33 ha within areas of formerly drained high bog (26 ha) and cutover bog (7 ha). The pilot site was impacted by over 28,000 m of extensive ditching in the high bog and cutover as well as legacy effects from conversion to agriculture and bog cutting. Much of the high bog has vegetation typical of a degraded Midlands Raised Bog.
Prior to restoration, the pilot site vegetation was mapped in detail. Only 0.85 ha of the area surveyed were classified as sub-central ecotope, the only vegetation type within the high bog area deemed to function as a carbon sink at the site. The rest of the ecotopes mapped were deemed to be CO2 emission sources as a result of the dense network of drains within it.
To document initial conditions at the site and monitor the effects of restoration, project scientists installed a suite of environmental monitoring devices. This included seven shallow (~2-8 m) piezometers, and four dataloggers that collected environmental parameters including atmospheric (light, precipitation, air temperature), soil moisture and temperature, and water level and temperature. These data were used in conjunction with monthly greenhouse gas measurements to allow us to develop more complete emissions models of the site.
The NPWS and Care Peat partners developed a restoration action plan based on a Degraded Raised Bog ecohydrological model developed by NPWS for Irish raised bogs, and consultation from the Care-Peat partners. The restoration works (implemented from September to October 2020) consisted of blocking drains using 991 peat dams and 8 plastic dams within the high bog and cutover sections, and 865 m of trench cell bunding in the cutover areas. Plastic pipes and weirs were also installed to prevent trench bunds failure. The use of trench bunding on cutover areas is one of the first of its kind within the Republic of Ireland.
Overall, the restoration activities at the pilot site have been deemed an overwhelming success. Restoring the proper hydroperiod is considered the most important aspect of peatland restoration. To this end, the mean rewetted table depth was -1.6 cm below ground level, almost always within 10 cm of the surface and significantly higher than the control area in an adjacent drained section of the bog. GHG fluxes were measured over 80 days of fieldwork representing over 2300 flux measurements. The GHG measurements started in March 2021 and finished in March 2023. The preliminary two-year results for the submarginal ecotope indicate that on the high bog, the drained section of the bog emits on average 345 g CO2 m-2 yr-1, while the rewetted section sequesters 309 g CO2 m-2 yr-1. This means that the degraded bog emitted approximately 3.5 t CO2 ha-1 yr-1 while drained, and rewetting has produced a net sequestration of 3.1 t CO2 ha-1 yr-1.
The pilot site was host to a series of local and international demonstrations. This included several scientific working group workshops and demonstrations as well as local and community educational events. The Irish Peatland Conservation Council (IPCC) held a sphagnum transfer event that worked with transition year students and the public to learn about peatland restoration. Several national and international media events (e.g., TG4 and The Weather Channel) used the pilot site to document important climate actions taking place within the country.
The NPWs in conjunction with the University of Galway will continue to monitor the environmental changes to the pilot site in the coming years as part of a post-restoration monitoring programme. Local groups, the NPWS and the IPCC will continue to use the pilot site for education and outreach.