Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust are calling for all burning to stop following a spate of fires in the last few weeks.
Our uplands help counter climate change by removing carbon from the atmosphere and storing it in peat. Globally, peat habitats store 30% of all soil carbon. Burning vegetation that sits on top of the peat causes it to dry out, meaning that carbon is lost through a process called oxidation.
Rachel Bennett, Wilder Landscapes Manager for Derbyshire Wildlife Trust said: “The moorland burning season runs from 1st October until 15th April, year on year. The fires release huge plumes of smoke into the atmosphere which contributes significantly to climate change and reduces the air quality of those who live and work nearby. If we are serious about protecting our climate, then we must stop burning our uplands.”
Upland peat bogs, such as those between Sheffield and Manchester, provide endless benefits for climate, wildlife and water. Not only do they store carbon, but they also reduce flood risk downstream, purify drinking water and slow the spread of wildfires when looked after properly.
These habitats are also incredibly important for wildlife and are home to many rare and endangered species. Burning the vegetation threatens their survival and the wider ecosystem functions that they support.
Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust want to see a complete end to moorland burning and sustainable alternatives put in place, such as vegetation cutting to create firebreaks and new areas of heather growth.
Roy Mosley, Head of Conservation and Land Management at Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust adds: “It’s very disappointing to see these continued fires on our moorlands in Sheffield. As well as being internationally important places for wildlife, our uplands provide a huge array of public benefits too. We want to see an immediate end to moorland burning. The Trust continues to engage with our local MPs on this issue and call upon the Government to put a stop to moorland burning once and for all”.
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Posted On: 02/11/2022