Slopes

Steep slopes (greater than 45°) can be re-profiled to speed up the growth and spread of vegetation. Re-profiling also prevents more peat being lost to erosion, reduces the carbon dioxide emissions released into the atmosphere and stops the water becoming discoloured. The peatland must be accessible with a digger and vegetated. A digger is used to peel back vegetation on the top of the slope, re-profile the exposed peat and then to put the vegetation layer from the top back over the newly re-profiled slope.

Not all slopes can be re-profiled in this way. This method is used where the surrounding area is vegetated in order to avoid unnecessary damage.