Works begin at Tavy Head, Dartmoor
Tavy Head is found at the centre of the North Moor, on land owned by the Duchy of Cornwall. Some of the deepest peat on Dartmoor is in this area, at over 6 metres deep in places.
We’ve started peatland restoration works this week on this 240 hectare site. While parts of the site retain relatively intact bog , much of the area’s peat is damaged due to the cumulative impacts of past human activity. This has led to complex issues including actively eroding gullies and ‘cliff-edges’ of exposed peat at the head of tin-streamed valleys.
Restoration works taking place aim to restore hydrological function to the peatland in this area. Contractors working with SWPP will use re-profiling methods to stabilize erosion of bare peat hags and gulley sides. The water table will be raised by installing wooden blocks and peat blocks to slow the flow of water running through erosion gullies. Pools of water with shallow gradient edges will form, over time encouraging a more diverse range of bog plant species i.e. Sphagnum mosses to colonise.
Here are some images of how the site currently looks, and the issues we’ll be addressing.
Low ground pressure machinery heading out to Tavy Head last week. The all terrain vehicle at the front of the image is how contractors and SWPP staff will travel to the site and back each day until March 2024.
240 hectares
One of the largest sites we’re undertaking as a partnership
6 metres of peat
This huge store of carbon will continue to erode without action
9 machines
Low-ground pressure machines enable work take place
1 hour
Travel each way to get out to site, approximately 5km
Current erosion at Tavy Head. Our work will block these areas, raising and stabilising the water table.
Erosion gully. Carbon, peat and palaeoecological record will continue to wash away without our interventions.
Tavy Head Restoration Summary
Click the image to the left to find out more about works taking place at Tavy Head including FAQs, techniques we’re using and information on monitoring.
Please get in touch should you have any further questions about our works on this ambitious site.