Prosiect Torgoch Peatland Surveys

In July, as part of the Torgoch Project, NWRT staff completed a Peatland Survey within the Cwellyn catchment in order to ground-truth modelling data for Peatland in the area. The presence and depth of peatland was measured in the area, with the idea of developing peatland restoration in the area if it was necessary.

Salmonid species are vulnerable to lower pH levels (they become lethal after 4.0). Torgoch (Arctic charr) inhabit freshwater lakes and spawn on clean shallow gravels, so they are more sensitive to the effects of acidification than salmon and trout. Waste from slate quarries can cause acidification when there is a release of concentrated minerals on the surface of quarry waste, which causes pollutants to be dissolved and transferred into rivers. Conifers can also increase acidity in soil compared to native trees, which in turn lowers the pH of water in rivers and lakes when run-off occurs.

Around Llyn Cwellyn, where there is one of the only three natural populations of Torgoch in Wales, there are both a coniferous woodland and slate quarries within its catchment. Therefore, it is important to mitigate acidification within this area in order to protect this important and iconic species.

By surveying and restoring the peatland in this catchment, water baseflow can become more consistent (i.e. less peaks and troughs), which will reduce surface run-off and amount of acidification occurring. This, in turn, will reduce the risk of acidification that the Torgoch face.

Written by Angharad Powell