Thorne, Crowle and Goole Moors Water Level Management Plan

Benefit

Through our use of telemetry and the newly created structures to control water levels on the bog in real time, we were

able to facilitate the growth of Sphagnum moss and other peat-forming species.

The real-time data collected can also be analysed and used to refine how the structures automatically respond to

rainfall and water levels on site, which is essential as over time the bog is highly likely to become wetter at certain times

of the year and even change shape. Flowpaths across and through the bog are also likely to change, highlighting the

importance of recording and analysing live data and adopting a flexible strategy.

The gradual raising of water levels has not only accelerated the growth of Sphagnum moss and other peat forming

species, Eriophorum angustifolium rhizomes have also been able to produce new plants, binding the peat and

preventing desiccation, exfoliation and subsequent wind erosion. These plants, and rows of Birch brash, are also now

acting as foci for Sphagnum cuspidatum colonisation, keeping the surface wet, allowing the vegetated area to increase

annually, closing the sward gaps and ultimately forming an actively growing surface.

As all of the monitoring equipment on site, as well as the structures themselves, are powered using photovoltaic cells

linked to a battery (and solenoid in the case of the structures), it also reduces the need for costly and potentially

dangerous site visits.

Our innovative approach to this project and the creation of an "electric bog" also led to us being nominated for (and

winning!) a number of awards at the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management Awards 2020. Our

Thorne Moors Water Level Management Plan was awarded the Best Practice Award for Large-Scale Practical Nature

Conservation, as well as the highly prized Tony Bradshaw Award for Outstanding Best Practice, which recognises

exceptional projects that set an overall impressively high standard.