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Wool trial for peatland restoration in Northern Ireland

Created at 2 Jun · 8:05 AM1 source↑ Market-relevant
IN SHORT

The Ulster Farmers' Union and Ulster Wildlife are trialing the use of locally-sourced wool logs for peatland restoration on Slievenanee Mountain. This initiative aims to stabilize eroding peat, trap sediment, and support vegetation regrowth, offering a sustainable alternative to imported coir.

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Key Numbers

60wool logs installed
500 metresheight above sea level reached by volunteers

Who's Involved

Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU)
Co-launching the peatland restoration trial
Ulster Wildlife
Co-launching and carrying out the peatland restoration trial
Sustainable Rope Ltd
Partner in the wool log trial
Ulster Wool
Supplier of wool for the trial
Ulster University
Partner in the wool log trial
Stephanie Clokey
UFU peatlands officer
James Devenney
Peatland restoration manager at Ulster Wildlife
Wool trial for peatland restoration in Northern Ireland

↳ Why This Matters

Peatlands are vital ecosystems that store significant amounts of carbon, filter water, and mitigate flood risks. However, many peatlands are degraded due to erosion and weathering, hindering their ability to support wildlife and perform these ecological functions. Traditional restoration methods often rely on imported materials like coir. This trial explores the use of locally-sourced wool as a biodegradable and sustainable alternative, potentially supporting local farmers and reducing the environmental impact of restoration efforts.

Key facts

  • A trial using wool logs for peatland restoration has been launched in Northern Ireland.
  • The project involves installing 60 wool logs on Slievenanee Mountain.
  • Wool logs are designed to slow water flow, trap sediment, and encourage vegetation regrowth.
  • This trial explores wool as a sustainable, locally-sourced alternative to imported coir.
  • Healthy peatlands are crucial for carbon storage, water quality, flood risk reduction, and wildlife habitats.

Peatlands are vital ecosystems that store significant amounts of carbon, filter water, and mitigate flood risks. However, many peatlands are degraded due to erosion and weathering, hindering their ability to support wildlife and perform these ecological functions. Traditional restoration methods often rely on imported materials like coir. This trial explores the use of locally-sourced wool as a biodegradable and sustainable alternative, potentially supporting local farmers and reducing the environmental impact of restoration efforts.

Frequently asked questions

The wool logs are designed to slow water flow, trap sediment, and create conditions for peat-forming vegetation to re-establish on eroded peatland areas.

Wool is a natural, biodegradable, and locally-sourced material that has shown promising results in other UK peatland trials, offering a sustainable alternative to imported coir.

Healthy peatlands store carbon, improve water quality, reduce flood risk, and provide habitats for specialist wildlife.

What Happens Next

01Monitoring the performance of wool logs in slowing water movement, stabilizing peat, and supporting vegetation recovery.
02Determining if wool logs can be adopted more widely in peatland restoration across Northern Ireland.
03Exploring a blended approach using both wool and coir in future trials.

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How It Developed

2 Jun · 8:00 AM
UFU and Ulster Wildlife are trialing wool logs on Slievenanee Mountain for peatland restoration, aiming to slow water flow and re-establish vegetation.
Agriland via PiQSuite

Sources

T1
UFU and Ulster Wildlife trial use of wool in peatland restorationm.piqsuite.com

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