The latest NVC survey for Nethergill shows a marked improvement in the condition of blanket bog on site. Prepared for the Yorkshire Peat Partnership (YPP), the survey shows that several UK Priority Habitats have improved markedly since the baseline survey in 2011.
Nethergill Farm is located in Oughtershaw, Upper Wharfedale, North Yorkshire, and contains the following UK Priority Habitats:
Restoration has improved habitats across the board, but especially on mire communities. Grip blocking and cattle grazing with reduced stocking rates have allowed the recovery of ericoid shrubs; low levels of disturbance coupled with high water table at or near the surface have promoted the establishment and growth of Sphagnum spp. (including peat forming species). Significant areas previously recorded as species-poor M20 blanket mire have developed into species-rich M17 blanket mire in good condition.
Dr Tim Thom, YPP Programme Manager, said “It looks like we are getting it right with a combination of no burning, sensitive grazing and a relatively simple YPP rewetting project. Bringing about such a comparatively rapid change from M20 to M17 & M19 is really amazing. It shows that Pennine bogs shouldn’t look like they currently do and that degraded bogs can be restored to really high quality blanket bog habitats.”
To find out more about the National Vegetation Classification (NVC) see the JNCC website.
