A project aiming to transform Scotland’s damaged peatland has secured funding for its first scheme in the country’s islands.
The £19,000 project will help to restore 11 hectares of damaged and eroding peatland on the Isle of Lewis, taking in Loch Orasaigh - a strategically important drinking water supply in the Outer Hebrides.
The restoration is being carried out by Scottish Natural Heritage’s Peatland ACTION Project and Scottish Water and aims to re-profile peat hags, block drainage ditches and encourage the stabilisation of vegetation around the edge of the loch.
Ben Inglis-Grant, SNH’s Peatland ACTION Project Officer, hosted by The Carloway Estate Trust, said: “Around 80% of Scotland’s peatlands are estimated to be damaged, through man-made drainage and other land-use pressures as well as natural erosion taking place.
“By restoring our peatlands they can begin actively functioning as they should, by storing water and capturing carbon.
“Peatland ACTION aims to make a difference across the length and breadth of Scotland and by working together with Scottish Water, we can deliver multiple benefits to both people and nature, from carbon capture to clean drinking water and supporting natural ecosystems, which are so intrinsic to our existence.
“These kind of nature-based solutions are also integral to tackling the climate emergency we are all facing.”
At a cost of £1,700 per hectare, SNH claims the project offers a relatively inexpensive way of tackling climate change, as well as potentially reducing water treatment costs by minimising the amount of peat being washed into the loch.
The project will also help preserve the local environment, with a recent survey confirming the loch is home to two of Scotland’s protected species – Black Throated Divers and Great Skua.
Commenting on the funding announcement, which coincided with International Bog Day on Sunday, Malcolm Walker, Scottish Water Catchment Liaison Officer, said: “Every day, Scottish Water provides 1.46 billion litres of clear fresh drinking water to its customers, much of which comes from peatland catchments. We are therefore acutely aware of the links between peatland condition and our drinking water catchments, having also worked with Peatland ACTION on other projects across Scotland.
“Restoring damaged peatlands by blocking man-made ditches and revegetating areas of bare peat may reduce the amount of peat being washed into our treatment works, which could lead to reduced treatment costs as well as helping protect and preserve the natural environment.”
SNH claims that preserving Scotland’s peatlands means 140 years of the country’s total annual greenhouse gas emissions are prevented from being released.
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