Blanket Bog

Blanket Bog (385kb )   

Approximate Extent- 20,838 ha
Distribution- Large areas in the Dark Peak and scattered areas in the South West Peak

Opportunities and Threats

Extent - Approximately 95% is within SSSIs.  No known decline in extent during the previous BAP period.  Threats to extent very low.

Condition - Poor.  98% within SSSIs is in unfavourable condition.  Although 96% is recovering due to work during the previous BAP period, this is likely to take decades without further intervention due to a legacy of atmospheric pollution, overgrazing and inappropriate burning.

Connectivity – Excellent.  Large contiguous tracts, linking northwards to the South Pennine Moors

Climate change risks - High.  Blanket Bog is probably at  its climatic limit globally in the Peak District.  Future risks of decreased rainfall and higher summer temperatures leading to drying out, increased erosion and lack of peat development, increased fire risk and decline of northern species.

Priorities

International importance, poor condition and vulnerability to climate change mean it is:
High priority to restore condition, principally within SSSIs, through:

• Continued re-vegetation of bare peat
• Diversifying species composition  and structure (maintaining sustainable grazing levels; widening range of species used in restoration)
• Continued restoration of hydrology (drain and gully blocking and re-profiling)
• Restoring active peat development (restoring Sphagnum cover)

Medium priority to identify those species at greatest risk through climate change and identify and implement mitigation measures where appropriate.