LIFE 13 BIO/UK/000428 EcoCo LIFE Airds Moss: EcoCoLife monitoring Impact Report (Action D.1.) CONTENTS 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................... 2 2. Background .................................................................................................................... 2 3. Monitoring results ........................................................................................................... 6 3.1.Hydrology ............................................................................................................. 8 3.2.Vegetation ...........................................................................................................11 3.3.Peat depth data ...................................................................................................15 3.4.Species data ........................................................................................................17 4. Future monitoring ..........................................................................................................17 5. References………………………………………………………………………………………18 6. Acknowledgements .......................................................................................................18 7. Annex 1……………………………………………...…………………………………………..19 Airds Moss - aerial view captured (c) Dave Beaumont, 2014 1 Introduction The whole site known as Airds Moss is located in the catchment of the River Ayr between the towns of Cumnock and Muirkirk. The entire site is almost 8 kilometres in length and 2.5 kilometres in width, comprising an ‘intermediate’ peatland site with characteristics of both raised and blanket bogs. At several locations the peat is up to 8m deep, unusually deep for this part of the country. The bog is surrounded by the Muirkirk Uplands, which are made up of heather moorland, upland grassland and blanket bog. It is now the largest area of unafforested moorland in South Strathclyde, but is bordered by large forestry blocks in several areas. Airds Moss and the Muirkirk Uplands are of national importance for hen harrier. The whole area qualifies as a Special Protection Area under the terms of the European Union Birds Directive. The 26,330 ha SPA is of national importance for breeding curlew and short-eared owl and further supports merlin, peregrine and golden plover. Airds Moss and the Muirkirk Uplands are also of significant interest for other breeding birds including black grouse and waders such as snipe, redshank, lapwing and dunlin. The RSPB manage large areas of Airds Moss, and originally became involved with the site due to a series of threats that could seriously damage the habitats and wildlife of the area. The Society’s operations at Airds Moss are primarily to ensure site protection and to work in partnership with developers to ensure no net loss of habitats. This report summarises the results of monitoring at the CEI’s peatland enhancement sites at Airds Moss between 2014 and 2018. 2 Background There have been six separate phases of peatland enhancement work at Airds Moss, within the RSPB Reserve. The first three phases were delivered by RSPB and the fourth phase of work was by EACEI before the EcoCoLife project commenced. Initial phases 1-4 (not funded by EcoCoLife) Phases 1-3: were carried out by RSPB between 2009 and 2012 (Fig. 1). Peat and plastic dams were installed in the drainage network. Phase 4: Carried out by CEI in 2013-14 (see Figs. 2 & 3). The enhancement area was 131ha and the value of the contract was £30,000. The work was carried out by Openspace (Cumbria) Ltd. 2,097 peat dams, 16 plastic piling dams were installed. 2 Figure 1: Airds Moss peatland enhancement, Phases 1-3 by RSPB (c) RSPB Figure 2: Airds Moss peatland enhancement, Phase 4 by EACEI (c) RSPB 3 Figure 3: Airds Moss peatland enhancement, Phase 4 dam locations (c) CEI Figure 4: Map showing Airds Moss peatland enhancement phases including phase 5 (2014- 15) (c) EACEI 4 Phases 5 and 6 were undertaken and funded through EcoCoLife. Phase 5 was completed in early 2015, enhancing the site across 111 ha (Fig. 4). Phase 6 involved repairing historic dams and installing new dams to reinforce areas subject to damage. An additional area also had ditch blocking carried out (Fig. 5). Table 1 summarises the actions undertaken in phases 5 and 6. Figure 5: Airds Moss peatland enhancement phase 6 by EACEI (c) RSPB 5 Site name Airds Moss RSPB Airds Moss RSPB Total Phase of work 5 6 Date started 01/02/2015 15/02/2016 Date completed 22/02/2015 19/02/2016 Area (Ha) 111 52 163 Contractor Openspace Openspace used (Cumbria) Ltd (Cumbria) Ltd Cost of contract £ 30,000 £ 13,800 £ 43,800 Peat dams 2,039 480 2519 PP dams 6 6 Dams repaired 196 196 Table 1: summary of monitoring actions through EcoCoLife 3 Monitoring The three stages specified in the monitoring process are as follows: 1. Baseline monitoring – carried out prior to enhancement activities. 2. Initial monitoring period – following completion of works, carried out within the EcoCoLife project timescale to identify any short-term changes. 3. Long-term monitoring – ongoing monitoring to be carried out at 3, 5, 10 year intervals to measure long-term changes. Table 2 describes the monitoring methodology. 6 Monitoring Vegetation Fixed point Water level monitoring Peat depth Species surveys tool monitoring photography Species of Ecological Indicator of Ecological functionality Structure Structure conservation functionality importance Each site exhibits the full Stable or increasing relevant species range of structural populations of positive A long-term surveys carried out to features which should be bog indicator species, monitoring system in assess how particular expected for a functioning High, stable water table, close to particularly relevant place which will allow species not captured Target bog. Interventions carried the surface of the bog sphagna. Few or peat depths to be through ongoing out through the project decreasing populations compared at suitable condition monitoring (e.g. dams, bunds etc.) of negative indicator intervals are responding to are demonstrated to be species restoration functioning Whilst some of these Long-term measure, species may not be and as such, indicators of improved meaningful trends This measure will enable habitat condition, their will not be captured the physical condition of importance in a Through the project actions, we as part of the EcoCo each bog to be measured. Bogs in good condition regional, national or are hoping to demonstrate an project. However, It will allow changes to be or that are progressing international context improvement in the hydrology of this action, which will recorded, and will allow towards good condition merits their inclusion in sites through this measure. Bogs ensure that the success of Rationale exhibit a range of project monitoring with a high, stable water table, monitoring methods interventions to be indicator species which where resources allow. function hydrologically and this is are developed and assessed. It is also a allow condition to be Site managers should therefore a good indicator of instigated, will ensure straightforward technique assessed be aware of the coherence at the site level. the long-term which could be carried out location and status of monitoring of this by volunteers during and these species to ensure important indicator of after the project that restoration does coherence for peat not adversely affect sites them Pairs of dipwells installed Targeted species adjacent to each vegetation surveys for Large 6 fixed quadrats monitoring quadrat location (but Assessment of damage heath, beetles and installed at locations sufficiently far away to avoid from drainage, peat spiders to be carried representative of Peat depths interference), one in close cutting, burning and out where appropriate conditions across the measured on a grid proximity to drainage ditch (less grazing, within and in (see detailed site. Presence and (with maximum grid than 2m), one 5m from ditch. close proximity (<5m) of guidance). Ad hoc coverage of trees, squares of Single dipwells installed at each quadrat location, via recording to be carried shrub, bryophytes and 100x100m), and Method control quadrats. Additional field survey. Random of out on site walkovers vascular plants additionally adjacent ditches and control locations can dams selected from and at events. recorded via field to each be added if resources allow. enhancement works. Specimens to be survey. Also recording quadrat/dipwell Dipwells should be on ‘flat’ Water level below ground removed from the field basic micro-topography location using a peat ground, avoiding significant level at face of dam is if identification requires (i.e. presence of depth probe. hummocks/hollows. Dipwells recorded. Dams also microscope/keys. hummocks and/or are monitored manually to inspected for damage. Photographs of pools). identify depth of water surface specimens to be taken below ground level. where possible. Single survey Annual survey, June- completed in Sept (July-August Annual survey (with baseline period and Monthly survey if possible, or at preferred). vegetation quadrat repeated in initial least quarterly. Comparative Comparative surveys at survey). Comparative Annually for butterfly Frequency monitoring period at annual data at 3, 5 or 10 year 3, 5 or 10 year interval, survey at 3, 5 or 10 year transects, etc. same time of year. interval. at same time of year, interval (with vegetation Comparative