Containing invasive species poses long-term challenge for Abbeyleix Bog Project
After 25 years of conserving peatlands, the volunteers involved in the Abbeyleix Bog Project still face one major challenge: invasive species.
Abbeyleix Bog Project was formed after local residents physically blocked Bord na Móna machinery from entering the bog in 2000. It now manages 500 acres of peatland, about half of which is degraded – but improving – raised bog where turf was once harvested.
Following negotiations between the semi-state peat company and the local community, an agreement was reached to maintain the bog for conservation, amenity and education purposes.
When peatlands are left alone or allowed to return to natural states, they act as large sponges, absorbing and storing huge amounts of carbon – something that is critical for tackling climate change.
Bogs also help to manage the extreme rain that Ireland is experiencing, reducing the risk of flooding in communities.
When bogs are drained or damaged, however, the stored carbon escapes back into the atmosphere and the ability to hold water weakens.
In order to restore the bog, the volunteers blocked all drains and began using bunding (raised barriers) to catch and hold rainfall and start the rewetting process.
Rhododendron can damage local ecology. Photo: Getty
It has been a long journey, relying on the work of volunteers and on advice from technical advisory groups, including Laois County Council, the National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) and the Peatlands Council.
The main challenge has been controlling invasive species – the project has been hugely impacted by rhododendron ponticum.
Once celebrated for its pretty pink blooms, rhododendron has spread across Ireland’s bogs, with its shade-casting growth making it difficult for native species to grow.
Abbeyleix Bog Project chair Fiona Dunne explained that Abbeyleix bog is unique in its position, geographically, supplying ideal conditions for Rhododendron ponticum.
“Abbeyleix bog was adjacent to a very large estate, Abbeyleix House and Gardens, where a lot of trees would have been introduced. The spread may have come from here, but also soil conditions are optimal,” Ms Dunne said.
“It’s a major issue because it completely covers the ground and nothing else can grow. It kills off a lot of biodiversity.”
According to the NPWS, Rhododendron ponticum can live for at least 100 years, with mature plants able to clump and extend laterally to meet neighbouring ones.
Members of Abbeyleix Bog Project did chainsaw training so they could remove rhododendron
In recent years, the technique of eradicating rhododendron has been refined to target the plants individually, rather than through the use of herbicides.
Various approaches have been tried and tested around the country, but Abbeyleix Bog Project has been using mechanical removal of the stem.
“That has required our volunteers to do chainsaw training,” Ms Dunne said. “A licence for the disposal of it is required. It’s not just a matter of going and cutting it down when you are working at scale.”
The work has been physically demanding for volunteers, and hugely expensive. It also requires constant monitoring, as even cleared sites can be quickly overrun again.
The Local Biodiversity Action Fund has helped with training demands, but Abbeyleix Bog Project said funding needs to be sustained – not only to meet the challenge of invasive species, but also to continue conservation efforts.