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River management and peatland restoration

Why peatland restoration and river management matters

Peatlands cover just 20% of Scotland but store 25% more carbon than the rest of the vegetation in the UK put together. They're home to many of Scotland’s threatened species of plants and animals, yet up to 80% of those peatlands are damaged.

Degraded peatland emits carbon, pollutes rivers and increases the risk of flooding. So farmers and landowners in Scotland are making peatland restoration and river management a priority. Because ecosystem services like clean water, less carbon in the air and more wildlife habitats are not just beneficial – they're essential.

Rivers

Clean water is good for the land, good for wildlife and good for us. Read about how farmers and landowners in Scotland are using river management to benefit their land and the environment.

RIVER REMEANDERING

On the Rottal Estate in Angus, landowner Dee Ward’s work with nature is transforming the landscape. He shares how working in partnership to plant trees and remeander the river has restored fish and wildlife on his land and helped him fight against climate change.

Peatland

On farm peatland restoration funding is available through Scottish Natural Heritage's Peatland ACTION scheme, which covers 100 per cent of capital costs, and through the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme, where peatland restoration means increased points weighting. Read about Scottish farmers who are using funding to restore peatland.

PEATLAND RESTORATION

Upland sheep and livestock farmer Malcolm Hay of Edinglassie, near Huntly in Aberdeenshire, has found restoring his peatland has helped prevent livestock loss and restocked the Deveron river with fish.