Hi Guaduneth, thanks for sitting down with me! Can you tell us where are you based and what WaterLANDS partner institution you’re a part of?

No problem! I’m based in Drumshambo, County Leitrim, in Ireland and I work with LIFE IP Wild Atlantic Nature through Ireland’s National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Can you tell us a bit about your background and what led you to work on the Wild Atlantic Nature project?

I have always been passionate about the practical aspects of habitat restoration. Before joining this project, I worked in academia, but I was eager to apply research to on-the-ground conservation work. I noticed that there is often a disconnection between research and its implementation in the field, which motivated me to pursue this path.

I hold a master’s degree in climate change and a PhD in environmental science, with a focus on peatland mapping and carbon loss. My PhD research was based in Spain, where I investigated peatland ecosystems.

What are you working on as part of the WaterLANDS project?

I serve as the Action Site Coordinator for Ireland, which is located at the Cuilcagh-Anierin Uplands Special Area of Conservation (SAC). My role involves coordinating restoration efforts, engaging with the local communities, and overseeing the governance processes at the site. Day-to-day, I manage restoration planning, monitor progress, and work closely with farmers and community members. On average, I spend one or two days a week in the office, handling emails, drafting reports, and creating restoration maps and plans. The rest of my week is spent in the field - collecting data, implementing restoration measures, and meeting with farmers to discuss and refine the restoration plans.

We are hoping to have a lot of the restoration materials delivered by January, and most of the restoration work will be completed by the end of 2025.

Can you explain the main ecological and conservation goals for the Cuilcagh-Anierin Uplands SAC, especially in terms of its importance as a blanket bog habitat?

Our primary ecological objective is to restore the blanket bog, halt its degradation, and enable it to recover as active bog habitat.

Key restoration activities include:

• Invasive Species Control: Removing conifer trees, which are invasive to the bog and alter its hydrology and vegetation composition. This action is particularly well-received by farmers due to its simplicity and effectiveness.
• Erosion Control: Stabilising bare peat areas to reduce carbon loss and improve water quality. Techniques such as coir logs and geotextiles are used to stabilise the soil, and we’ve already observed positive results.
• Drain Management: Slowing water flow using low-level dams (under one metre high) to prevent excessive erosion.

These combined efforts aim to raise the water table, improve water quality, and support biodiversity.

Additionally, a PhD student, Kieran, is researching invertebrate populations as indicators of restoration success. Another undergraduate student, a farmer’s son is studying the relationship between upland water quality and drinking water supplies.

What are the main threats to the ecosystem, and what restoration actions are you taking under the WaterLANDS project to address these?

Currently, threats to the blanket bog are relatively low compared to the past due to changes in land use policy, so the ecosystem is naturally recovering. However, remnants of past pressures, such as overgrazing and conifer plantations, remain a challenge.

Key threats include:

• Conifer Encroachment: Conifers dry out the bog and alter vegetation, causing long-term ecological changes. For instance, some areas of the bog have been completely overtaken by conifers, transforming the native vegetation.
• Natural Erosion: A legacy of historical land use, exacerbating carbon loss and habitat degradation.

Our restoration efforts aim to address these issues, accelerate the bog’s natural recovery, and support its ecological resilience.

How does the results-based agri-environment payment scheme (RBPS) work, and what role does it play in encouraging farmers to participate in conservation efforts?

The RBPS represents a shift from traditional prescription-based approaches to a results-based framework. Farmers are rewarded based on the ecological quality of their land, as determined by scorecards that assess biodiversity, water quality, and climate regulation in peatland habitats.

Higher ecological quality results in higher scores and payments. These scorecards are straightforward and scientifically robust, enabling both farmers and project teams to identify threats, pressures, and opportunities for improvement.

Farmers can also earn additional "action payments" for addressing specific threats or pressures identified through the scorecard process. This dual payment structure incentivises farmers to enhance their land’s ecological condition over time, fostering greater awareness and appreciation for high-quality habitats.

By working collaboratively, especially on commonage land, farmers often achieve a shared goal – improving their scorecard ratings, which benefits both conservation and their payments.

In what ways are local farmers and landowners involved in the restoration process, and how has the WaterLANDS project supported them in improving their RBPS payments?

Farmer involvement is central to our approach. Restoration plans are developed through a co-creation process:

• Individual Consultations: Farmers identify areas of concern on their land, which often align with project goals.
• Collaborative Planning: Meetings are held to refine restoration plans and incorporate farmer feedback.
• Training and Resources: Farmers receive training on restoration techniques, such as erosion control, and learn how to use scorecards to assess ecological quality. We’ve also developed a toolkit that explains restoration challenges and solutions in a clear, accessible way. This is already out for everyone to use!

Through this process we aim to ensure that farmers are supported, valued, and equipped to improve their RBPS payments.

Do you face any challenges related to balancing conservation needs with local land use practices? If so, how are you addressing these challenges?

Balancing conservation with local land use can be challenging, particularly on commonage land, which requires agreement among multiple farmers. Administrative hurdles, such as organising meetings and ensuring participation, also arise.

Another challenge is encouraging restoration when farmers have already maximised their RBPS payments. To address this, we’re developing a protocol to offer collaboration payments, recognising the time, knowledge, and effort farmers contribute to restoration.

By valuing farmers’ expertise and fostering collaboration, we aim to address these social and institutional challenges while ensuring ecological goals are met.

Thank you so much for your time! If anyone wants to get in touch to find out more, how can they do this?

Happy to do it!

Anyone interested in learning more about the WaterLANDS Action Site in Ireland can email me at guaduneth.chicoleon@npws.gov.ie.

You can also check out the LIFE IP Wild Atlantic Nature Twitter and LinkedIn for more restoration updates.

For anyone interested in learning more about the scorecard approach and Results-Based Agri-Environment Payments, you can find some useful resources on LIFE IP Wild Atlantic Nature’s website.