The overall aim of the project was to review the effectiveness of standard mitigation measures to maintain the hydrological conditions within peat soils and wetland habitats. The findings of this work will assist the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) to provide knowledge and guidance to developers in relation to appropriate construction techniques and enhance practice around avoidance, impact minimisation, habitat creation and restoration.

Wetlands can be defined as areas of marsh, fen, or peatland with permanent or temporary water (brackish or freshwater). They cover an estimated 2 million hectares of Scotland’s land area from uplands to the coastline and are important for sequestering carbon, providing habitat, storing water, and maintaining biodiversity.