RSE Support Trial Project Researching the Control of Purple Moor Grass

Client & Funding Overview:

Moors for the Future Partnership was founded in 2003 and delivers a landscape-scale programme of blanket bog restoration across the Peak District and South Pennine moors. They have invested over £50 million of funding to conserve and restore moorland, as well as carrying out important research to inform future endeavours in restoration, backed up by innovative public engagement.

RSE is delighted to fund the next year of a trial project on a site called Close Moss, which will investigate how best to control Purple Moor Grass (Molinia Caerulea), a British native grass that grows on the moors.

The Problem:

The Peak District and South Pennine Moors, areas of significant ecological and cultural value have historically faced considerable environmental degradation. These upland areas, defined by unique peatland ecosystems, have suffered pressures that severely harm biodiversity, hydrology, and carbon storage.

A key issue in this particular region is the encroachment and dominance of Purple Moor Grass (Molinia Caerulea). The proliferation of Purple Moor Grass has significant ecological and environmental consequences. It reduces the biodiversity of these sensitive moorland ecosystems, negatively impacting plant and animal species whilst also increasing the risk of wildfires. The dominance of Molinia also compromises the moorland’s ability to act as carbon sinks, thus exacerbating the effects of climate change.

Project Aims:

By utilising funding from RSE, Moors for the Future Partnership plans to continue its research into the viability of using bunding as a practice for moorland restoration.

Bunding involves the creation of small, horseshoe-shaped earthen barriers (bunds) across the landscape, typically in areas where drainage has occurred or where the land has become overly dry. These bunds are placed strategically to interrupt the flow of water across the land, thereby helping to retain water in the peat soil.

With the backing of RSE, Moors for the Future will continue to gather data to satisfy the following aims:

1. To ensure that bunding can be built on blanket bog sites without damaging the habitat and its qualifying features during the construction phase.
2. To demonstrate the benefits of bunding to land managers and practitioners through site visits.
3. To collect scientific data to ascertain the impact different bund types have on the environment, and to inform knowledge of functional differences between the different bund types.

RSE is proud to support the impactful work of Moors for the Future Partnership, which perfectly aligns with our commitment to environmental sustainability. By enhancing biodiversity, mitigating climate risks, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, their efforts contribute significantly to our shared goals. Additionally, their partnerships with local schools and universities add valuable social impact. We extend our best wishes to Moors for the Future Partnership as they advance the trial project at Close Moss and look forward to sharing progress updates throughout the year. With continued investment, the beautiful Peak District and South Pennine Moors can be fully restored to their natural splendor.