Work has started on a 31ha area of North Exmoor Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This entails blocking the large drainage ditches that cut into and across the small hillslope, springline and blanket mires.
This relatively small site has highlighted the complexities the Exmoor Mires Partnership team work through in order to get all those who have an interest in the site to agree a final ‘Restoration Plan’. A few of the considerations have been its ecological elements (SSSI, marsh & small pearl fritillary butterflies), its archeological importance (Principal Archaeological Landscape with late Neolithic monuments and prehistoric field boundaries), access required for the land manager(s) and members of the public (Open Access land) and continued farming of the site.
Through consultation and commitment by all, a plan has been achieved and the ditch blocking works will bring about multiple benefits - for wildlife, wider archaeological understanding and protection, improved access across the site, water storage and quality.
A great start to 2016 for peatland restoration on Exmoor!
