Why ongoing monitoring and maintenance is crucial for peatland restoration

Peatland restoration offers a wealth of benefits for the planet, from reduced carbon emissions and enhanced biodiversity to improved water quality and flood mitigation.

Yet while, notably, carbon emissions are reduced almost immediately after the restoration process is complete (restored peatlands efficiently absorb and store CO2), in order to fully reap the rewards of this nature-based solution, it is crucial that ongoing maintenance and monitoring of the land takes place.

This is where Caledonian Climate comes in. Offering highly tailored monitoring programmes that cater to our clients’ needs, we conduct regular monitoring of peatlands to ensure project integrity and provide the best possible opportunity for the delivery of the expected units to be realised. In turn, this builds consumer trust and confidence in the work taking place. We call it Peatland Asset Management – a complete monitoring, reporting and maintenance solution.

So, what is involved in the maintenance and monitoring of peatland restoration projects, and why is it so important? Keep reading to find out.

 

Investing for the future

Businesses invest in peatland restoration on the understanding and expectation that the project will have long-term benefits for the planet and a positive impact on future generations.

To achieve these results, ongoing maintenance and monitoring of the site is needed. Without it, the habitat risks falling back into an unfavourable state, failing to yield the forecasted carbon emission reductions, and therefore diminishing its impact to both the landowner and end users.

And with government grants given based on key performance goals, peatland projects that are underdelivering pose several potential risks for landholders.

Caledonian Climate mitigates such risks by carrying out regular checks on the land to ensure the project is performing to its full potential, offering peace of mind to the landowner. Creating in-depth, bespoke monitoring reports, we demonstrate the quantifiable impacts of the restoration project – highlighting key deliverables such as emission reductions, the growth of flora and the changes in fauna species present on site.

 

How are peatland restoration projects monitored and maintained?

Every project has different requirements, which is why we take a bespoke approach to the monitoring process. That being said, a typical program will include:

• Visits to the restored area to assess the condition
• Conducting habitat monitoring to understand any changes
• Assessing herbivore impact
• Bird watching and monitoring
• reviewing carbon emission reductions

Based on the above, we make recommendations to the landholder on the remedial actions needed to sustain the land’s favourable peatland category, allowing the landowner to provide verified, genuine carbon credits in line with the Peatland Code.

 

Providing peace of mind

Monitoring peatland projects in this way provides reassurance for landowners and businesses that the initial capital investment is delivering on all the projected outcomes and having an independently verifiable, positive effect on climate change goals. By taking control of this process through our end-to-end solution, we mitigate any potential risks, ensure the land complies with all verifications, and afford our partners the peace of mind that due diligence is in place.

These regular, easily digestible performance reports not only instil confidence in our investors as to their ongoing net-zero progress but also bolster their environmental and sustainable credentials. For businesses looking to attract new business, such certification can be highly powerful and a key component of securing new contracts.

 

By expertly maintaining and monitoring peatland projects, Caledonian Climate ensures the initial investment in carbon emissions remains secure and that the positive impacts on the planet can be felt now and for generations to come.

Interesting in finding out more about the services we offer landowners and businesses? Head here to learn more.