Restoration of Afforested Blanket Bog

This work will be focused on Forestry Commission land in the Migneint-Arenig-Dduallt SAC. The spreading of Sitka spruce out from forest plantations and onto areas of blanket bog is having a significant negative impact upon the habitat. Similarly, some historic Sitka planting took place on areas of good blanket bog. The LIFE Project will remove Sitka from both of these types of areas. These target areas will also have any drainage ditches blocked, using methods similar to those described above for the Berwyn SAC.

The work here will focus on two Forestry Commission Wales sites:

Penaran 

- removal of 18 hectares of Sitka spruce plantation from blanket bog,

- removal of 67 hectares of self-seeding Sitka spruce from blanket bog,

- blocking of over 11km of drainage grip within the cleared areas,

- creation of 35 ponds within the area to aid water retention,

- graze the whole site (200 hectares) with native breeds of Welsh Black cattle and Welsh Mountain ponies.

Foel Boeth 

- removal of 20 hectares of Sitka spruce plantation from blanket bog,

- blocking of 1km of drainage grip within the cleared area.