Partnership aims to improve water quality

GALLOWAY Fisheries Trust is teaming up with Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) to enhance water quality, biodiversity and boost fish populations. The partnership is aiming to restore 23 hectares of peatland as a forest to bog project at FLS managed Loch Moan in the Galloway Forest. Restoration of the site will improve the quality of the surrounding watercourses and fish habitat, and peatland species such as sphagnum mosses and cotton grasses to re-establish which benefits the wider ecosystem. FLS’ peatland team will support the trust who will take the lead on the project design and works. The work will involve stump flipping and smoothing any furrows that were created for the planting of trees to allow water to be held within the site. Galloway Fisheries Trust’s nature restoration project manager Kacie Jess said: “Restoring the peatland will also mitigate acidification within the surrounding watercourses which benefits aquatic ecosystems including invertebrate and fish populations. “As well as playing an important role by improving fish habitat, storing carbon, slowing down water run-off and helping to remove pollutants, a healthy peatland ecosystem supports a wide variety of highly specialised flora and fauna, providing nesting grounds for birds and habitats for amphibians, mammals, and numerous rare insects. “The aim of the GFT is to restore and maintain aquatic biodiversity, particularly native fish, in Galloway. “This partnership with FLS to restore peatland around Loch Moan will support these aims and benefit the wider community.” FLS peatland restoration forester George Hemstock added: “FLS is working hard to restore and protect thousands of hectares of this valuable habitat and the ecosystems it supports. “But to achieve this at a landscape scale, we need to work in partnership and alongside other organisations like the Galloway Fisheries Trust. “We are looking forward to supporting and working with the trust to make a positive contribution to the environment, to biodiversity and water quality.” The peatland restoration works are due to begin in late October with full peatland recovery taking upwards of 15-20 years. The Loch Moan site will be closely monitored to assess the condition of the peat.