Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Drain-blocking techniques on blanket peat : a framework for best practice. / Armstrong, Alona; Holden, Joseph; Kay, Paul et al.
In: Journal of Environmental Management, Vol. 90, No. 11, 08.2009, p. 3512-3519.Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Drain-blocking techniques on blanket peat : a framework for best practice.
AU - Armstrong, Alona
AU - Holden, Joseph
AU - Kay, Paul
AU - Foulger, Miles
AU - Gledhill, Sarah
AU - McDonald, Adrian
AU - Walker, Andrew
PY - 2009/8
Y1 - 2009/8
N2 - Abstract In recent years there has been a dramatic increase in artificial drain-blocking in world peatlands. The UK blanket peatlands have been severely drained over the past few decades but now drains are being blocked in an attempt to improve peatland environments. The drain-blocking has been a disparate process with limited knowledge transfer between organisations and within organisations operating in different geographic areas. Consequently, there has been no compilation of techniques used and their effectiveness. During this study thirty-two drain-blocked sites were surveyed and all the key stakeholders interviewed. A drain-blocking using peat turf was preferred by practitioners and was also the most cost-effective method. Peat turves were successful except on steep slopes, in areas of severe erosion, in very wet or very dry locations, or if the mineral substrate was exposed. A drain-blocking best practice guide is offered by this paper, providing information on the most suitable methods for blocking peatland drains under different circumstances. Additional considerations are provided for practitioners to ensure peatland drain-blocking is as successful as possible.
AB - Abstract In recent years there has been a dramatic increase in artificial drain-blocking in world peatlands. The UK blanket peatlands have been severely drained over the past few decades but now drains are being blocked in an attempt to improve peatland environments. The drain-blocking has been a disparate process with limited knowledge transfer between organisations and within organisations operating in different geographic areas. Consequently, there has been no compilation of techniques used and their effectiveness. During this study thirty-two drain-blocked sites were surveyed and all the key stakeholders interviewed. A drain-blocking using peat turf was preferred by practitioners and was also the most cost-effective method. Peat turves were successful except on steep slopes, in areas of severe erosion, in very wet or very dry locations, or if the mineral substrate was exposed. A drain-blocking best practice guide is offered by this paper, providing information on the most suitable methods for blocking peatland drains under different circumstances. Additional considerations are provided for practitioners to ensure peatland drain-blocking is as successful as possible.
KW - Peatland
KW - restoration
KW - revegetation
KW - hydrology
KW - uplands
U2 - 10.1016/j.jenvman.2009.06.003
DO - 10.1016/j.jenvman.2009.06.003
M3 - Journal article
VL - 90
SP - 3512
EP - 3519
JO - Journal of Environmental Management
JF - Journal of Environmental Management
SN - 0301-4797
IS - 11
ER -