The impact of tracks on peatland hydrological functioning
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Leeds
Department Name: Sch of Geography
Abstract
Globally there is little science literature about impacts of tracks/roads of different designs on peatlands and other wetlands, landscapes with wet, compressible soil. Yet access is increasingly being required for a range of purposes including windfarms, oil sand development, forestry access, wildfire safety, conservation access and game management.
Peatlands cover ~15% of the British Isles. Hence, peatland tracks are a key priority for Natural England, the CASE partner. They are also a priority for upland landowners who seek permission to lay tracks for moorland access. Natural England have consented for many estates to install temporary mesh tracks for peatland access. However, they have not fully considered their relative influence compared to gravel tracks or other types of peatland road in terms of hydrological pathways and functioning (including flood risk); there is concern about flow accumulation & acceleration downslope and flow diversion which may lead to some peatland locations becoming drier. Furthermore, as legal consents from Natural England have so far been temporary, track removal implications need to be understood; damage upon removal (as vegetation that has grown through the mesh is severely disturbed) could be large.
A recent PhD project at the University of Leeds studied the impacts of mesh tracks on water tables and peat compression, mainly using an experimental track at Moor House National Nature Reserve (McKendrick-Smith, 2017). However, little is known about wider impacts (e.g. runoff accumulation) of both hard tracks and plastic mesh tracks on peatlands (Natural England, 2014) or long-term effects of mesh track use. Little is also known about whether removal of plastic tracks causes substantial damage.
This project will investigate i) how roads and tracks of different designs influence the hydrology and flood risk from upland peatlands; ii) understand the impacts of removing such roads and tracks; iii) examine how to minimize damage and maximize benefits.
Peatlands cover ~15% of the British Isles. Hence, peatland tracks are a key priority for Natural England, the CASE partner. They are also a priority for upland landowners who seek permission to lay tracks for moorland access. Natural England have consented for many estates to install temporary mesh tracks for peatland access. However, they have not fully considered their relative influence compared to gravel tracks or other types of peatland road in terms of hydrological pathways and functioning (including flood risk); there is concern about flow accumulation & acceleration downslope and flow diversion which may lead to some peatland locations becoming drier. Furthermore, as legal consents from Natural England have so far been temporary, track removal implications need to be understood; damage upon removal (as vegetation that has grown through the mesh is severely disturbed) could be large.
A recent PhD project at the University of Leeds studied the impacts of mesh tracks on water tables and peat compression, mainly using an experimental track at Moor House National Nature Reserve (McKendrick-Smith, 2017). However, little is known about wider impacts (e.g. runoff accumulation) of both hard tracks and plastic mesh tracks on peatlands (Natural England, 2014) or long-term effects of mesh track use. Little is also known about whether removal of plastic tracks causes substantial damage.
This project will investigate i) how roads and tracks of different designs influence the hydrology and flood risk from upland peatlands; ii) understand the impacts of removing such roads and tracks; iii) examine how to minimize damage and maximize benefits.
People |
ORCID iD |
Joseph Holden (Primary Supervisor) | |
Jessica Williams (Student) |
Publications
Williams-Mounsey J
(2021)
A review of the effects of vehicular access roads on peatland ecohydrological processes
in Earth-Science Reviews
Williams-Mounsey J
(2024)
Blanket bogs exhibit significant alterations to physical properties as a result of temporary track removal or abandonment
in Ecohydrology
Williams-Mounsey J
(2023)
Surface structure on abandoned upland blanket peatland tracks.
in Journal of environmental management
Williams-Mounsey J
(2022)
Temporary tracks, persistent impacts? An evaluation of short-term usage peatland tracks. 
Studentship Projects
Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
NE/R007527/1 | 01/03/2019 | 31/03/2023 | |||
2180790 | Studentship | NE/R007527/1 | 01/03/2019 | 28/02/2023 | Jessica Williams |
Description | Temporary mesh tracks on peatland sites may help to protect the peat by some measures of peat health. However, in their their post use period the recovery of both ecological and physical properties may be slow, and in some instances the project findings suggested that some impacts may be permanent. |
Exploitation Route | This work has implications for policy makers across the UK, it will help to assist in decisions around the input and removal of tracks and also grow understanding of how these disturbances affect peatland function. |
Sectors | Environment |
URL | https://www.gov.wales/assessment-impact-land-use-organo-mineral-soils |
Description | Findings from this research will be used by policy makers to assist in making decisions about what steps are required in order to mitigate the impacts of temporary mesh tracks after their usage/consent period has come to an end. |
First Year Of Impact | 2022 |
Sector | Environment,Government, Democracy and Justice |
Impact Types | Policy & public services |
Description | Citation in Welsh Government report |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
URL | https://www.gov.wales/assessment-impact-land-use-organo-mineral-soils |
Description | Conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Conference presentation - Coimbra, International Geomorphology conference |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Presentation and workshop with NE science directorate |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Workshop and presentation to discuss implications from research findings and discuss future work opportunities. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Presentation to upland network at Natural England |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Presentation of research findings to policymakers and practitioners from Natural England. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |