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Project Code [2004-CD-P1-M2]

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Project title

A Protocol for Sustainable Peatland Management

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

University College Dublin (UCD)

Lead Applicant

Florence Renou-Wilson

Project Abstract

Peatlands are Irelandis last great area of wilderness hovering between land and water providing unusual habitats for its unique and specialist flora and fauna. Raised bogs blanket bogs and fens are part of the Irish landscape since the last Ice age and are one our oldest natural heritage. The BOGLAND Project was funded as part of the Sustainable Development Research Programme (EPA) to reveal the global significance of this national resource and the dilemmas of peatland management utilisation and conservation. This collation of physical environmental social economic and institutional information provides a comprehensive guidance for the development of a support framework or protocol for the i'sustainable management of peatlandsi. The BOGLAND studies have found that past and current management of peatlands in Ireland have not been generally sustainable and have had major negative impacts on the ecosystem services that they provide (biodiversity climate past knowledge etc). Natural peatlands which are hydrologically and ecologically intact have become rare and are being further threatened. Past mis-management and legislative inertia have led to a majority of the Irish peatlands being damaged or in deteriorating conditions. Traditional management in the form of conservation was also very limited resulting in a small area of peatland enjoying full protection while designated (thus legally protected) areas continue to be damaged by turf cutting. A protocol for the sustainable management of peatlands should ensure that this natural heritage is not lost in the future but that it should be enhanced during a challenging period of economic transition.

Grant Approved

�1,403,896.00

Research Hub

Natural Environment

Research Theme

Soils and Land-Use

Start Date

01/05/2005

Initial Projected Completion Date

01/12/2009