The Importance of Meres and Mosses

This one day course delivered as two online sessions across two days will cover different types of peat-forming wetland habitat, including bogs and fens. As part of this, we will explore how mire habitats can help support a variety of biodiversity and help provide a number of environmental services from flood prevention to carbon storage. Participants will get the opportunity to identify different bog specialist plants, including the keystone species, Sphagnum mosses. We will also look at threats to these potentially irreplaceable habitats. This course is relevant to land owners, professional ecologists and volunteers who work in or are interested in the conservation of peatlands and their importance within biodiversity and the climate crisis.

This course will cover identification of different types of peatland (e.g. bog, mire, fen) and recognition of bog habitats (e.g. raised, blanket, quaking etc). Participants will also learn about peat formation and edge habitats (e.g. lagg) and the positive and negative indicators that help inform management techniques. Participants will understand the environmental importance of mosses and meres (e.g. in terms of flooding, water quality, carbon sequestration) along with the importance of meres and mosses as wildlife corridors or 'stepping stones'.

We will look at case studies identifying existing and historical wetland projects. Participants will learn about Sphagnum moss species taxonomy and classification and other bog specialist species. We will also cover designations and protected status, rare species, invasive species and threats.

Training will take place remotely via Zoom at a relaxed pace over two half days.

Land managers, local authority ecologists and planners, conservation officers and licensing staff within SNCOs or NGO’s, students, ecological consultants, environmental managers, wardens, ranger and conservation volunteers.

No prior knowledge is required.

• Understand small-scale habitat/species management or habitat creation projects in relation to meres and mosses.
• Understand taxonomy and classification of Sphagnum moss species.
• Identify, classify and evaluate the influence of the physical aspects of the environment (e.g. landscape character, soils, hydrology, air quality, geomorphology and erosion) that affect the range and complexity of bog habitats and species.
• Understand species ecology and distribution in relation to meres and mosses.
• Use safe, biosecure and legal species handling techniques.
• Recognise personal limitations and areas for development and seeking opportunities to develop knowledge, understanding and skills.